Publications and tools

  1. Statistical Brief - Apprentices in countries with large informal economies

    31 May 2023

    This statistical brief compares country-level data on apprenticeships with an interest in countries with large informal economies. It investigates the possibilities and limitations of current labour force statistics to provide a snapshot on apprenticeships, with data compiled by the ILO from 27 countries (26 African and 1 South Asian countries). It also provides key findings and recommendations based on the comparative analysis.

  2. Country-level report: Apprenticeships for adults and older workers in Finland

    17 March 2023

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The country-level report “Apprenticeships for adults and older workers in Finland” has been produced by the ILO as part of the ADULT project. It provides an overview of the VET system and alignment with the general education system in Finland and highlights elements relating to the development of adult apprenticeships. The report also highlights the policies, guidelines and strategy undertaken by the country for promotion of adult apprenticeships so as to make them attractive for adults, employers and TVET institutes alike.

  3. Good practices in Apprenticeships in South-Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

    17 March 2023

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The “Good practices in Apprenticeships in South-Africa: Challenges and Opportunities” country level report has been produced by the ILO as part of the ADULT project. It provides an overview of the South African apprenticeship system and captures contextual factors at the country level with a view to modernizing apprenticeships. The report also highlights the specific challenges of the system, including social stigma, levels of development of the apprenticeship system, gender inequalities as well as examples of good practice and initiatives taken to improve apprenticeship training in South Africa.

  4. Good practices in apprenticeships in India: Challenges and opportunities

    17 March 2023

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The country-level report “Good practices in apprenticeships in India: Challenges and opportunities” has been produced by the ILO as part of the ADULT project. It provides the overview of the apprenticeship system in India and discuss in detail the various reforms undertaken to promote apprenticeship in the country. With the help of primary research conducted as part of the report, new ideas and policy options have been evolved which enables lifelong learning mainstreaming apprenticeship in the TVET system of the country.

  5. Unlocking apprenticeship potential in small and medium enterprises

    17 March 2023

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). This research paper titled “Unlocking apprenticeship potential in small and medium enterprises” explores the status of SMEs that offer apprenticeship opportunities in various countries, the reasons for the low participation of enterprises with especial reference to developing and developed countries and the various factors which affect the participation of enterprises in apprenticeship. It also highlights the experiences and lessons learned from the initiatives taken by various countries in encouraging employers to participate in the apprenticeships.

  6. Towards lifelong learning and skills for the future of work: Global lessons from innovative apprenticeships

    17 March 2023

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The main report, Towards Lifelong Learning and Skills for the Future of Work: Global Lessons from Innovative Apprenticeships, synthesizes the topics of six individual thematic reports and three additional themes which are only featured in the main report. It explores how apprenticeships can enable people to acquire new skills and update existing skills throughout their working lives to keep pace with the fast-changing labour market demand.

  7. Strengthening work-based learning in VET institutions

    17 November 2022

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Strengthening work-based learning in VET institutions” explores the initiatives undertaken by countries across the world to strengthen WBL in school-based VET, the role of local industry and social partners. It also discusses the various innovative policy options which can be introduced for supporting WBL in school-based VET.

  8. Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships

    17 November 2022

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships” explores reasons why apprenticeships are sometimes regarded as unattractive or low status career choices. It also highlights the experiences and lessons learned from the initiatives taken by various countries in improving the attractiveness of apprenticeships. These include structural changes and enhancements to apprenticeship programs, as well as better promotion of apprenticeships to potential apprentices and those who advise them.

  9. The digital transformation of apprenticeships: Emerging opportunities and barriers

    17 November 2022

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Digital transformation of apprenticeship systems” explores how digital technology can be used to improve the effectiveness, inclusiveness, and efficiency of apprenticeships. It also highlights the ongoing and emerging innovative practices in using digital and educational technology.

  10. Promoting apprenticeships to meet the skills needs of the digital and knowledge economy

    17 November 2022

    This report was compiled under the ILO’s research project – Apprenticeship Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT) – funded by the Government of Flanders. The project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). The research paper titled “Promoting apprenticeships to meet the skills needs of the digital and knowledge economy” explores the impact of the digital technologies on jobs.