Mobility of apprentices

More than 10,000 young apprentices from Europe participated in an event organised by the French Presidency to highlight the benefits of a period of mobility abroad during an apprenticeship. The meeting, held in Paris, was the first of its kind.

Representatives from the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU) and six others, including active apprentices, were part of the Maltese delegation. The Maltese participants said this event was a positive experience and proved that the whole of Europe believes in its youth and promotion of apprenticeships for Europe.

The European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Ján Figel, said: "At the moment, a period of study abroad, whether part of a higher education degree or part of a vocational training course, is the exception rather than the rule for young Europeans. It is my vision that in the not too distant future, such periods of mobility will be the norm for all EU learners."

He went on to say that EU programmes, such as Erasmus for universities, or Leonardo da Vinci for vocational training establishments, have helped make mobility a reality for well over 2.3 million young people in Europe over the past two decades.

The Leonardo da Vinci Programme (2007-2013) supports the mobility of young people in vocational training, including apprenticeships. Since the programme also caters for those furthuring their vocational training later in life, a further 20,000 who had already completed their education and training also benefited.

However, the percentage of those in vocational training who participate in transnational mobility is still relatively low: between 1 and 1.5 per cent. The aim is that a training period abroad will be considered as a normal part of a vocational training pathway.

For more information, call the Apprenticeship Section of the corporation on 2220 1303/11 or e-mail apprentice.etc@gov.mt.