The importance of good quality apprenticeships and traineeships in the transition from education to work and for implementing the Youth Guarantee was the main focus of a conference hosted by László Andor, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion in Brussels on 5-6th June. The Conference also looked at how EU funds can be used to help develop new schemes or improve existing ones, and what makes a traineeship or apprenticeship scheme successful in terms of labour market outcomes.

The Youth Guarantee, agreed by the EU's Council of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers, calls on Member States to ensure that young people are offered a job, further education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving school.