Engaging Employers in Apprenticeship Opportunities
Making It Happen Locally
This joint OECD-ILO publication provides guidance on how local and regional governments can foster business-education partnerships in apprenticeship programmes and other types of work-based learning, drawing on case studies across nine countries. There has been increasing interest in apprenticeships which combine on the job training with classroom-based study, providing a smooth transition from school to work. There are benefits to both individuals and employers from participating in apprenticeships, including increased productivity and job quality. Successful implementation is contingent on having a high level of employer engagement at the local level, notably in the design, development and delivery of programmes.
Reforming the Indian apprenticeship system to boost local engagement
India faces what has been called a stupendous challenge in increasing the portion of its workforce with VET qualifications. Most of the Indian workforce does not even have secondary education (70% in 2009-10), and only 2% had VET qualifications at that time. The apprenticeship system in India suffers from the same problems as the Indian VET system more broadly; namely that there are insufficient participants. Young people do not tend to see apprenticeship as a valued career path, and employers have been reluctant to employ apprentices. In 2012, the Indian government embarked upon a significant reform effort of the apprenticeship system in particular and the VET system more generally. This chapter describes and evaluates the elements of that reform.