A new Cedefop project, which will look into the apprenticeship systems of Lithuania and Malta, has been launched. The project, to be completed in 2015, is in support of the European alliance for apprenticeships and will involve government ministries, vocational education and training (VET) institutions, social partners and other stakeholders in both countries.
In Lithuania, Cedefop will be conducting an in-depth review of the apprenticeship schemes at the invitation of the Minister of Education and Science Prof. Dr Dainius Pavalkis. The review aims at providing the Lithuanian government with a proposed roadmap of quality apprenticeships to combat youth unemployment, attract more young and old learners to vocational training and work-based learning, and increase skills and competences for employability.
Minister Pavalkis (l) with Cedefop Director James Calleja in Vilnius
At the official launch in Vilnius on 29 May, Minister Pavalkis said that he is hoping this review will enable the Lithuanian government to promote the link between the world of education and training and the world of employment. Cedefop Director James Calleja stressed the need for greater collaboration between the education and the employment sectors to ensure the skills and competences of the workforce are relevant to a dynamic labour market. He argued that this project will contribute to strengthening the European alliance for apprenticeships.
In Malta, Minister of Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo and the Cedefop Director launched the thematic country review on apprenticeships at the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry in Valetta on 30 May.
Minister Bartolo (second right) and James Calleja (third right) at the Malta launch
Minister Bartolo stressed that apprenticeships should be the product of solid partnerships between VET institutions, industry, employee representatives and civil society. Mr Calleja emphasised that the review’s objective is to create quality apprenticeships and programmes as part of formal education and training, and certified through qualifications referenced to the Malta qualifications framework.
Cedefop experts Antonio Ranieri, Ramona David Craescu and Irina Jemeljanova are leading the project in the two countries for the European agency.
