Apprenticeship and Vocational Education and Training in Israel
One of a series of studies on vocational education and training, this review assesses the apprenticeship system and vocational education and training in Israel and provides policy recommendations.
Israel has experienced strong economic growth over the last decade, and labour shortages are observed in many sectors and occupations. At the same time, inequity and disadvantage in some population groups are rising. This report suggests several ways in which Israel might reform its vocational and apprenticeship programmes so that they effectively support the Israeli economy by providing the skills in demand on the labour market, and improve life chances and social mobility of individuals.
The report argues for an expansion and integration of apprenticeship programmes into the mainstream upper secondary system, and development of systematic work-based learning placements in selected school-based vocational programmes. Currently vocational education and training in Israel is fragmented and students and employers often find it difficult to navigate. To address this challenge, the report recommends creating a single strategic body that will plan and guide policy development on vocational education and training, and champion it within government. A relatively large share of adults in Israel has low basic skills, particularly among Arab Israelis and Haredi Jews. Addressing basic skills weaknesses in these populations should be a priority.
Developing work-based learning in Israel
Chapter 2 argues that the development of vocational education and training (VET) in Israel could be significantly aided through attention to work-based learning, building on a range of current initiatives to develop apprenticeship and work-based learning both for young people and adults. This would involve an expansion of apprenticeship programmes and development of systematic shorter work-based learning placements in selected school-based VET programmes. Currently apprenticeship is designed as a path for drop-outs and is seen as a low status option. To become an attractive option both to young people and employers it should be fully integrated into the mainstream upper-secondary system. For adults, diverse work-based learning measures, including apprenticeship, may help to alleviate skills shortages and better integrate disadvantaged social groups into the labour market.