Today the European pilot project on the long-term mobility of apprentices – supported by MEP Jean ARTHUIS – was officially launched in the European Parliament. This initiative aims at allowing apprentices to complete their professional training with a long-term period abroad.
This experimental mechanism will identify the obstacles for apprentices’ mobility and try to reach a certain degree of harmonisation of apprenticeship contracts and recognition at the European level.
European Parliament President Martin SCHULZ opened the ceremony, expressing the full support of the European Parliament to the initiative.
Speaking in the panel, EBC President Patrick LIEBUS explained that in Europe entrepreneurs of small construction companies train the majority of apprentices. This shows how important apprenticeship is for a labour-intensive sector as construction. However, apprenticeship should also be promoted among women, who are still less than 10% in the construction sector.
He finally underlined that the Erasmus programme has been a success for University students. The same model should be promoted for apprentices. This is why EBC supports this pilot project.
Mr. Michel SERVOZ, Director-General of DG Employment, and Ms Martine REICHERTS, Director-General of DG Education and Culture also took the floor to highlight the engagement of the European Commission as regards apprenticeship and the mobility of apprentices as a way to tackle youth unemployment.
- Read more about EBC actions on women and young people