Cedefop has published a collection of articles on long-term international mobility of apprentices in Europe, in cooperation with its ReferNet network.

ReferNet is Cedefop’s network of institutions providing information on national vocational education and training (VET) systems and policies in the EU Member States, Iceland and Norway.

Although cross-country mobility in apprenticeships – particularly long-term mobility – is still a niche phenomenon, it has recently become a key policy initiative in apprenticeships. In December 2016, the communication ‘Investing in Europe's youth’ launched ErasmusPro, an initiative aimed at increasing long-term mobility abroad (from three to 12 months) for VET learners, including apprentices and recent graduates.

In this collection of articles, Cedefop’s ReferNet network members present a set of factors that (may) have an impact on apprentices’ mobility, and discuss how these (may) act as enablers or disablers in this effort. The articles offer valuable insights into the different types of challenges to putting the policy into practice. Cedefop’s study on long-term mobility of apprentices, to be concluded at the end of 2020, will bring more in-depth evidence to support the policy.

The articles on long-term international mobility of apprentices in Europe are part of the  Cedefop ReferNet thematic perspectives series and complement other available general information on VET systems by country.