EfVET celebrates the 4th Anniversary of European Alliance for Apprenticeships in Malta
On the 30-31st of May Malta hosted the high level event of the European Alliance for Apprenticeships. Rasa Zygmantaite, EfVET secretary participated to represent the organization.
The event, organized by the Unit for Skills of the DG EMPL of the European Commission and the Ministry of Education and Employment of Malta was part of the agenda of the Maltese Presidency. It was a good occasion to celebrate the success of the Alliance in 4 years of its existence and to set new objectives and goals for the coming years.
New members joined the Alliance and signed the Pledge on the 2nd day of the event. They represent the widest spectrum of stakeholders across Europe: from EU member states (e.g. Bulgaria, Serbia, Iceland, Portugal, etc.), regions and cities in the EU countries, social partners (e.g. Latvian and Maltese Chambers of Industry and Commerce, Airbus, etc.), to youth organizations and different types of NGOs. July of 2012 was the year, when the European Alliance for Apprenticeships was established and the movement for implementing the apprenticeship culture across Europe started. EfVET was among the first ones to join the alliance by signing the Pledge on behalf of the Platform of the EU VET provider associations (now it is the VET4EU2 Platform).
The delegates listened to the testimonies and many success stories of young people who found their career pathway with the help of the apprenticeship training in companies These stories are a source of inspiration for the Alliance to develop and expand, covering different areas of education for the young people: from VET based apprenticeships/practical training periods in companies, Erasmus+ mobility, HE students in high-tech companies, and of course helping the NEETs to discover their talents and help to integrate into the working life and become active citizens.
Although we are still at the beginning of the road and, as Mr. Arnaldo Abruzzini, CEO of the EUROCHAMBRES noted, the achievements can still be compared to a drop in the ocean, it is obvious that the results are worth the efforts. According to Mr. Detlef Eckert, Director for Skills, DG EMPL, we now have the critical mass to ensure that the “drop” can grow to become the ocean.
