Brussels, 17/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - According to MEPs from the Culture and Education Committee,
the European Union is expected to define the “European apprentice” status. In an own initiative report adopted on Wednesday 17 February, MEPs said that they needed to introduce quality standards for apprenticeships, in an effort to tackle any possible abuses occurring in this area.
The report is entitled “Erasmus Programme + and Other Mobility Promotion Tools in Education and Vocational Training: a Lifelong Learning Approach”.
Just before the vote, the rapporteur, Ernest Maragall (Greens/EFA, Spain), stated: “We are sending a message to the Commission, member states and education systems in all countries, as well as to the companies and unions. The link between education and work deserves special attention. We must find mechanisms that help make this connection”. He added “Our report seeks to develop areas of exploration for creating this training trajectory in the member states”.
The MEPs' starting point is based on the observation that only 1% of young people currently in professional training (including apprenticeships) are involved in a mobility programme during their training. Therefore, MEPs are calling for “creating the conditions for more mobility in apprenticeships in the EU, in order to provide the same opportunities that students in higher education have”. They are also calling on the EU and member states to ensure that “apprenticeships and placements remain training opportunities and are not used as a source of precarious work or substitute for a full-time professional function and that they guarantee dignified working conditions and student rights (including financial and remuneration rights)”. They are also encouraging member states to introduce a “dual education” (school/enterprise) approach in the secondary education sector and to strengthen existing systems through training and work placements.
The draft report, as adopted by the Culture and Education Committee by 25 votes in favour, 1 against, with 4 abstentions, will be on the agenda of the April plenary session. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)