Page 129 - Guiding-at-risk-youth-through-learning-to-work-Lessons-from-across-Europe

Guiding at-risk youth through learning to work
Lessons from across Europe

In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, career centres have been set
up as part of the internationally-funded Secondary school activity (SEA) project.
The centres were initially piloted in a few schools in 2005 and have now been
established in all 57 VET schools in the country. They provide a dedicated
‘space’ for guidance to support the career development of VET students. The
career centre consists of a meeting room within the school where students can
go to take part in relevant activities and access information and support. USAID
provided essential resources, including printed and audio/visual materials. The
centres are led by the VET student organisation MASSUM and are staffed by a
teacher within the school who has undergone some training. The centres
organise a range of activities encompassing both internal development (tests on
interests and abilities, CV writing, interview preparation, public speaking) and
practical work (establishing and running mini-enterprises and visits to
companies).

6.3.5. Apprenticeships
The aim of apprenticeships is to provide high-quality work-based training,
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combined with learning in an educational institution or training centre ( ).
Apprenticeships offer an alternative to full-time, classroombased education and a
route into employment. For some young people, the ability to earn money while
continuing their education may also be appealing. For employers and the
economy as a whole, apprenticeships offer a solution to skills shortages. Some
at-risk young people may find that apprenticeships offer the alternative learning
environment to formal education they need and provide an alternative to dropping
out of education altogether.
The value of apprenticeships is recognised across Europe and a number of
countries are beginning to develop new (innovative) apprenticeship
models/schemes, or are modernising existing apprenticeship systems.
Apprenticeship schemes have been recently (re)introduced in Denmark, Estonia
and Sweden. In Denmark, a new apprenticeship was introduced in 2006 and is
now part of the government’s strategy for reducing the number of early school
leavers. Apprenticeships are aimed in particular at students who may struggle or
lack motivation to complete more theoretical school-based education in the
absence of practical insights. The scheme has proved a great success.

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( ) The Cedefop definition of apprenticeships is ‘systematic, long-term training alternating periods
at the workplace and in an educational institution or training centre. The apprentice is
contractually linked to the employer and receives remuneration (wage or allowance). The
employer assumes responsibility for providing the trainee with training leading to a specific
occupation’ (Cedefop, 2008b).

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