Male And Female Students Working On Car Brakes On Auto Mechanic Apprenticeship Course At College

Joint ILO/AU webinar on R208

Advancing Quality Apprenticeships in Africa

This webinar aims to raise awareness about R208, share good practices from its application in Africa, and explore how it can support implementation of the African Union’s Continental TVET strategy and the African Union/ILO Youth Employment Strategy (YES-Africa) at national and regional levels.

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Apprenticeships are a critical pathway for young people to transition into decent work. In Africa, youth unemployment and informality remain high, and skills mismatches are persistent. Quality apprenticeships—when well regulated, inclusive, and responsive to labour market needs—can bridge this gap.

ILO's Recommendation 208 on Quality Apprenticeships (R208) provides a global normative framework for strengthening apprenticeships. Simultaneously, the AU’s Continental TVET Strategy (2022–2030) calls for a paradigm shift towards demand-driven, work-based learning and stronger public-private partnerships.

Webinar objectives

  1. Introduce ILO R208, its key principles for quality apprenticeships, and links to continental strategies.
  2. Showcase successful experiences from African countries in implementing R208-aligned systems.
  3. Encourage dialogue among governments, social partners, and regional actors on advancing quality, inclusive apprenticeships in Africa.

Expected outcomes

  • Increased awareness of ILO R208 and its relevance in African contexts.
  • Peer learning from African experiences on improving apprenticeship quality and inclusiveness.
  • Strengthened alignment between ILO normative guidance and AU continental TVET priorities.
  • Identification of opportunities for technical support and regional cooperation.

Recording

Recording of webinar Advancing Quality Apprenticeships in Africa, December 2025

Agenda

11:00 –

11:15

Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Framing the webinar objectives
  • Importance of apprenticeships in the context of CTVET Strategy and ILO-AU Youth Employment Strategy (YES-Africa)

11:15 –

11:25

Overview of ILO Recommendation 208 on Quality Apprenticeships

  • Key principles and policy guidance
  • Opportunities for Africa

11:25 –

12:05

Promoting Quality Apprenticeships in Practice: Demonstrated Country Experience

  • Results, implementation challenges and lessons learnt
  • Q&A

12:05 –

12:45

Promoting Quality Apprenticeships in Practice: Emerging Country Experience

  • Vision and process
  • Regional coordination and country implementation
  • Q&A

12:45-

13:00

Reflections by IOE and ITUC-Africa

13:00–

13:20

Interactive Discussion

13:20 –

13:30

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

  • Key takeaways
  • Opportunities for follow-up support and collaboration

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