Apprenticeships – one way to combat youth unemployment Karen Roiy, Senior Advisor, Confederation of Danish employers

Youth unemployment Unemployment rates (percentage), 2012 (Q2) Data: Eurostat LFS 2012

Vocational education and training One explanation for the low youth unemployment in Denmark is found in VET Nearly all VET-graduates are in employment after a year, which also applies to young, male immigrants 2/3 of the training takes place at a company VET-graduates attain solid work experience and can contribute to the production from day one

Companies look for graduates with work experience Vital that young people gain experience in the labour market during their studies Combining theoretical and practical training benefits both business and graduates Linking education and employment generates positive synergies between the areas – and secures a smooth transition into employment

Companies demand A precondition for companies’ supply of apprenticeships is that pupils possess the necessary academic skills This is the exclusive responsibility of governments and a precondition for companies’ supply of apprenticeships We need highly qualified VET’s in the future – VET is not a social agenda

The apprentice must be ensured A significant part of the education is to be conducted in a company The agreement between young people and companies is to be quality assured through a contract The quality of the apprentices stay should clearly define the learning objectives of the work based part of the education Industrial relations should always respected

Social partners’ contribution The apprentices are employed and covered by the collective agreement They will normally be unionized The social partners develop the courses to ensure a close link to the demands of the labour market The social partners represented in the boards of the schools