In their declaration of June 2021, the social partners of the metal, engineering and technology-based industries highlighted that “among the many consequences of the COVID-19 crisis is the disruption of vocational education and training across Europe and its disproportionate impact on youth” and that “numerous apprenticeships positions have had to be suspended, if not cancelled”. On this basis, the Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based industries (CEEMET) and IndustriAll European Trade Union decided to renew their Pledge to support apprenticeships throughout Europe and called the Member States to keep apprenticeships on the recovery agenda.

The original Pledge signed in June 2018 aimed at committing the social partners to “promote the uptake of high-quality and effective apprenticeship in the MET sector throughout Europe”.

The renewed Pledge recalls that in addition to the skills shortages identified 20 years ago for the sector that remain unresolved, new skill shortages come to light with the green and digital transition.

“Ceemet and industriAll Europe both strongly believe that robust MET industries rely on a skilled workforce. Future-proof apprenticeships and vocational education and training are instrumental in attracting young workers to the quality jobs that a competitive and innovative MET sector can deliver. Missing out on a generation of qualified workers is not an option, especially as skills tailor-made to fit future changes in the MET industries will be needed to drive the bounce back”. 

CEEMET and IndustriAll therefore support “first-class apprenticeships throughout Europe” and call for the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 15 March 2018 on a European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships. They highlight that dual training is helping to ensure a “high-level of employability and enables companies to be fit for the future”.

In their joint call to Member States, Ceemet and IndustriAll Europe underlined the importance of dedicating adequate funding to the support of future-proof apprenticeships as part of the national skills strategies. “Financial incentives, such as apprenticeship bonuses, set up in some countries (e.g. Austria, France, Germany, the United Kingdom) and any other innovative measures, such as support for SMEs, aimed at putting apprenticeships back on the right track, are urgently needed in line with national practices and social partner traditions. Those measures will require a proper governance and evaluation with a timely and active involvement of social partners”.

Delphine Rudelli, Director General of Ceemet, highlighted that “social partners stand ready to team up for joint actions” [...] “but financial incentives and other innovative measures will play a key role in putting apprenticeships back on track”.

IndustriAll Europe General Secretary Luc Triangle commented the renewed Pledge as follows: “We need to set apprenticeships back on track. And not just any apprenticeships, but quality apprenticeships which lead to quality jobs in thriving industries. A proactive European industrial policy is needed to develop job opportunities in the MET sectors.”

In 2018, CEEMET and IndustriAll Europe joined the European Alliance for Apprenticeships, unites governments and key stakeholders with the aim of “strengthening the quality, supply and overall image of apprenticeships across Europe, while also promoting the mobility of apprentices”. The Alliance has led to awareness raising and actions on the importance of quality apprenticeship as a way of excellence to facilitate access to employment. Since the founding of the Alliance, 393 pledges were signed by social partners, companies, education & training providers or regional & local authorities.