Description
The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) has published its 2025 Action Plan to help promote quality apprenticeships in the EU and beyond.
Promoting change through commitments
Members will continue to promote EAfA in their networks by sharing presentations, infographics and fact sheets. Umbrella organisations (used by professionals working in other countries in collaboration with other companies) will be called upon to help them in their efforts to promote EAfA apprenticeships and work, while targeted awareness-raising campaigns will focus on expanding membership in key under-represented economic sectors suffering from shortages, such as agriculture, construction and hospitality. Partnerships with the European Training Foundation (ETF) will further expand EAfA's influence by promoting apprenticeship commitments in new countries and encouraging stakeholder engagements in candidate and partner countries.
Strengthening connections: events and collaborations
Networking will take centre stage in 2025, with high-profile events designed to connect stakeholders and inspire action. The annual high-level conference in Brussels will explore the role of apprenticeships in achieving the EU's Clean Industrial Deal, addressing topics such as worker mobility, skills recognition and cross-border collaboration. Complementing this, meetings of the EAfA Get-Together and the European Apprentice Network (EAN) will facilitate dialogue between members and amplify the voice of apprentices. Later in the year, EAfA's 10th annual seminar in cooperation with the ETF will provide a platform to explore innovative approaches to apprenticeship systems in both EU Member States and partner countries.
Providing state-of-the-art resources to stakeholders
To support its members, EAfA will introduce new tools and learning materials in 2025. Highlights include a toolkit on adult apprenticeships and fact sheets on preparing trainers with the right skills and competences, developing basic skills and expanding higher-level apprenticeships. Two webinars will address critical issues such as improving working conditions and combating gender stereotypes in apprenticeships. The EAfA website will remain a central hub for knowledge sharing, with fresh news, detailed stakeholder profiles and an ever-growing library of over 600 information resources. Quarterly newsletters and engaging social media content will continue to keep the community informed and connected.
Building momentum for a skilled and adaptable workforce
Action Plan 2025 reflects EAfA's unwavering commitment to empowering apprenticeships as the basis for the European workforce strategy. By supporting collaboration, innovation and inclusiveness, the Alliance aims to strengthen its impact, promote resilience and equip the European workforce to thrive in a changing economic landscape.
Source and photos: European Commission - DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion