The European Trade Union Confederation has welcomed the recent approval by the European Counci of a new EU-wide framework for Apprenticeships, noting that the framework was "largely based" on proposals drawn up by the ETUC and represented the "culmination of work" by trade unions across Europe, on this issue.
The proposed measures envisage a key role for trade unions in ensuring high quality training and include:
- Quality and effective apprenticeships need to be established through structured partnerships involving social partners in the design, governance and implementation of apprenticeship systems;
- A written agreement should be concluded to define the rights and obligations of the apprentice, the employer, and where appropriate the vocational education and training institution, related to learning and working conditions;
- Apprentices should be paid or otherwise compensated, in line with national or sectoral requirements or collective agreements;
- Apprentices should be entitled to social protection, including necessary insurance in line with national legislation
