The European Coalition for Apprenticeship Mobility met on Wednesday, September 24, at the European Commission to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to making international mobility a major focus of vocational education and training (VET). Organized by Valérie Hayer, President of the Renew Europe group, the event brought together Commissioners Roxana Mînzatu and Nicolas Schmit, Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission, and coalition members from across Europe. Together, they discussed the conditions to be strengthened to achieve the objective set by the EU Council: 12% of apprentices and VET learners in mobility by 2030.
Opening Remarks
With a view to achieving this objective, discussions focused on the progress made in apprentice and VET mobility, persistent obstacles at the European level, and the next steps to democratize access to mobility.
In her address, Commissioner Mînzatu highlighted the importance of vocational training, pointing out a dissonance between supply and demand in VET:
“It is paradoxical that, while Europe suffers from labor shortages in sectors largely related to in-demand trades for which VET prepares, we still observe a deficit of graduates in vocational education.”
MEP Valérie Hayer echoed this sentiment, recalling the strategic importance of mobility for the European labor market:
“If we want to remain competitive, we need skilled people. That is why apprentice mobility must be at the very top of our priorities.”
The Commissioner also emphasized the socio-educational benefits of mobility, contributing concretely to the construction of a European identity:
“It’s not just about skills for the labor market, but also skills for citizenship.”
For her part, Jacqueline Pacaud, representative of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, recalled that:
“98% of [Erasmus+] participants declare themselves satisfied or very satisfied with their mobility, and approximately 90% believe that this experience has strengthened their sense of belonging to Europe.”
Coalition Testimonials
Following these interventions, coalition members spoke to present their actions and their impact on apprentices. Robert Stolzenberg, from the Institute for School Quality and Educational Research in Bavaria, shared a personal anecdote:
“Yesterday, I saw a group of VET students on a train in Stuttgart, on their way to France. Listening to them, I understood that it wasn’t just a train journey to France, but a real trip to the moon. They were both scared and enthusiastic. It’s a completely different impact when you work in vocational education.”
The members then discussed the difficulties encountered in developing international mobility. The main issues mentioned were: the recognition of mobility periods, the heterogeneity of legal frameworks, and the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Rita Festi from the Scuola Centrale di Formazione in Italy specified that:
“The legal framework is unclear – unlike France, in Italy, vocational training falls under the responsibility of the regions”,
While the next MFF foresees a 50% increase in the Erasmus budget, coalition members and EU representatives believe this will not be enough to achieve the objectives set by the May 2024 recommendation.
“The annual Erasmus+ budget for VET has been increasing since 2021, but demand far exceeds available funds. We should ensure that every learner who wishes to can undertake mobility” declared Ms. Pacaud.
Pavlina Krouzkova from the Erasmus+ agency in Czechia added:
“If we compare the 2028-2034 MFF to the previous one, the share of the budget allocated to Erasmus is lower.”
In response to these concerns, Commissioner Mînzatu reaffirmed her support for apprentice mobility:
“We are working with our colleagues in Parliament to secure an ambitious overall budget, and the largest possible for Erasmus,” she stated. “You can count on me as a fervent advocate for VET, for improving the situation of apprentices, and for their mobility.”
Analysis of Challenges and Solutions Proposed by the Coalition
Because VET learners and apprentices must reconcile their commitments at school and in companies, any mobility must be agreed upon by both parties. This duality makes the contribution of institutional actors even more essential to formalize processes and involve both students and employers.
As Ms. Festi recalled, making vocational training schemes compatible at a European level is a major challenge, as VET and apprenticeship policies are specific to each country, or even each region.
In this regard, the diversity of the coalition is crucial. By bringing together regional governments, training centers, professional organizations, and Erasmus+ agencies, it allows for cross-pollination of approaches and the development of solutions adapted to each context.
Through its actions, the coalition contributes to the EU Council’s objective of 12% mobility. In 2024, its members have already organized over 20,000 apprentice mobility periods, particularly through the Erasmus+ program.
As a network of mobility support organizations, the coalition intends to go further and focus its efforts on three priorities:
- Design comprehensive mobility projects with recognized learning outcomes;
- Strengthen the training and resources of mobility coordinators, through a structured network of support actors;
- Advocate for adequate funding and favorable legal frameworks specifically dedicated to apprentice and VET mobility.
