Just published: Virtual conference report on ‘Delivering TVET through Quality Apprenticeships’

Delivering TVET through Quality Apprenticeships

Introduction | Messages | Participants

The two-week virtual conference took place from 15 to 26 June 2015 on UNESCO-UNEVOC’s e-forum and brought together 229 participants from 70 countries. The conference prompted participants to explore the characteristics of modern and formal quality apprenticeships, examine the challenges found in formal and informal apprenticeship systems, and analyse the conditions needed to promote quality apprenticeships. Importantly, the virtual conference took place at a time when today’s socio-economic climate, characterized by high levels of youth unemployment, compels stakeholders to introduce and improve apprenticeship schemes to expand the quality of TVET.

The virtual conference was moderated by Alessandra Molz, researcher in the area of workplace learning and skills development, in particular apprenticeship systems and social inclusion.

The report explores questions related to the definition of quality, innovations and alternative forms of apprenticeships as a form of work-based learning, financing and governance, and curriculum development. The report also stresses the importance of apprenticeships and recognizes that such forms of training entail multi-stakeholder systems that require adequate arrangements, consensus and commitment from a series of different actors and institutions. An important message is that apprenticeship systems operate within the wider context of a country’s cultural traditions, norms, socio-economic conditions and individual aspirations. Countries striving to set up, upgrade or improve an apprenticeships or other forms of work based learning need to be aware that arrangements should respect and be adapted to the individual characteristics of their country and society.

full report