Reference year 2019
Understanding of apprenticeships in the national context
The legal basis for apprenticeships is the Vocational Training Act of 2019. The law revises the initial Vocational Training Reform Act of 2008.
(Loi du 12 juillet 2019 portant modification 1° du Code du travail ; 2° de la loi modifiée du 31 juillet 2006 portant introduction d’un Code du Travail ; 3° de la loi modifiée du 19 décembre 2008 portant réforme de la formation professionelle)
1. Reform of 2008
A major VET reform was introduced by the Vocational Training Act voted in 2008. It was implemented between 2010/11 and 2013/14. The reform aimed at strengthening the links between VET and the business world, in collaboration with social partners, and easing access to lifelong learning.
The Vocational Training Act introduced competence-based teaching and evaluation methods, replacing teaching by subject with teaching by units and modules that focus on professional situations. Learners were assessed solely on the basis of learning outcomes. This development refers to all VET tracks, including apprenticeship.
2. Amendments of 2016
In 2016, the Department of Vocational Education and Training made some smaller adjustments to its provisions introduced in 2008, among which the re-introduction of annual progression, and an intermediary assessment.
In order to be able to advance to the next training level, the apprentice had to validate a certain amount of credits to pass the assessment.
3. Major revisions of 2019
Over a decade after the initial reform, the legal texts were revised on a larger scale.
It is noteworthy that the provisions concerning the apprenticeship contract and the legal rights and duties of apprentices were included in the Labour Code.
Other revisions concern evaluation and contract extension:
To better inform students and parents about their progress, semi-annual reports are based on competences; yet an additional evaluation by grades was re-introduced.
The duration of the apprenticeship or training is extended automatically by a maximum of one year if learners need additional time to complete or repeat modules. Upon agreement between the employer and the apprentice, a second contract extension for up to one year is legally admitted- (L111-3 (2))
The same legal basis applies to all apprenticeships in the country, regardless of the VET programme they are part of.
The term ‘apprenticeship’ is not explicitly defined (as the word “apprentissage” in French has a double sense of “learning” and “Apprenticeship”). Instead, the law (2008/2019) defines ‘alternating education’ as “training which is attended in alternation between professional and school environment” (Art. 2, 9) (which includes apprenticeship, training in Public training centres and internships).
On top, specific conditions for apprentices are stipulated. ‘Apprentices’ are defined as “learners pursuing their apprenticeship under apprenticeship contract” (Art. 2, 11). The provisions regulating apprenticeship contracts and conditions applying to apprenticeship tutors are regulated in the Labour Code (Art L.111-1 to L.111-9).
The apprenticeship scheme is part of upper secondary education. It is applicable to three different vocational training programmes, that lead to different levels of qualification:
- the vocational capacity certificate (CCP - Certificat de Capacité Professionnelle) at level 2 EQF;
- the vocational aptitude diploma (DAP - Diplôme d’Aptitude Professionnelle) at level 3 EQF;
- the technician’s diploma (DT - diplôme de technicien) at level 4 on the EQF.
All CCP programmes are provided under apprenticeship contract.
DAP programmes can include practical training under apprenticeship contract or internship contracts (convention de stage).
As for DT programmes, practical in-company training is mostly organised under internship convention, yet the apprenticeship scheme is used in some occupations. In 2019, six tracks were offered under apprenticeship: administration and commerce, logistics, mechatronics, aircraft mechatronics, commercial market gardening, sales and management.
The history of apprenticeships in Luxembourg dates back to the 1940s.
Apart from the regular dual apprenticeship scheme as it is detailed in the relevant fiche, two complementary schemes are linked to the apprenticeship scheme:
Practical training provided by public training centres
If learners are unable to find an in-company apprenticeship contract, work-based learning can alternatively take place at a public training centre. This option is not subject to an apprenticeship contract but to a training convention, hence learners are defined as “apprentice pupils” according to the amended Vocational Training Act of 2019, Art. 2, 12. This option leads to the same formal qualifications as the regular apprenticeship scheme.
In 2019, 419 learners participated in CCP and DAP tracks in public training centres (school years 2018/19 and 2019/2020) (on top of the 3477 under regular apprenticeship). 68 learners attended a “preparatory employer’s training”, a one-year training programme that aims at adjusting the level of professional and social skills and enable learners switch to the 2nd year of regular in-company training in the private sector. This option is meant to avoid school dropout and help CCP learners with specific training needs, in particular basic and social skills, to prepare for labour market integration. As the system is based on modules, every module that is successfully passed during this year is valid for lifetime, independently whether it was passed in a public training centre or training company.
Cross-border apprenticeships
A legal basis has also been established for cross-border apprenticeships, easing the mobility of apprentices, especially for specific qualifications defined by Grand-Ducal Regulation [1] for which theoretical training is not available in Luxembourg schools due to the small number of participants. In the cross-border apprenticeship scheme, the practical component is carried out in a training company located in Luxembourg. The school-based training is provided by a school in a neighbouring country.
Luxembourg is committed to promoting and facilitating outgoing and incoming mobility for learners, teachers and workers, especially with neighbouring regions in Germany, Belgium and France. In 2019, a total of 186 learners participated in cross-border apprenticeships, of which 36 Luxembourgish residents (2).
[1] http://legilux.public.lu/eli/etat/leg/rgd/2010/07/26/n4/jo
(2) ADEM, 2019.