Work-based learning (WBL) is an educational policy approach that help students with real-life work experiences, where they can apply academic and technical skills and develop their employability and their professional skill set.

The European Council has agreed that all Member States must grow the number of apprenticeships and traineeships opportunities in their countries to ensure that they represent a real opportunity for young citizens, integrating these programmes into the educational curriculum. In cooperation with the programme social partners, this form of education and development has a direct relation with the goals of increasing economic competitiveness, as well as improving individual’s employability.

Part of the solution can be found in high quality vocational education and training (VET) systems, in which the active participation of employers and the element of work-based learning simplify young people’s transition to work by providing the knowledge, skills and skills which they need for an effective first step into the labour market. Countries with strong and attractive VET systems, and notably those with well-established apprenticeship systems, tend overall to perform better in terms of youth employment.

The following context study maps the situation of work-based learning and apprenticeships in each of partnership countries. The study is used as a starting point to build a common understanding between partners, organise peer learning activities and plan the subsequent activities of the project.