OUR 2026 PLEDGE & ACTIONS
Key EAfA Context
- EAfA is a multi-stakeholder platform to strengthen the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships across Europe. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
- EAfA Communities are focused on diverse themes (social inclusion, green/digital transitions, regional roles, etc.).
- CCIF Cyprus is member of European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA)
WHY APPRENTICESHIPS MATTER
Apprenticeships connect learning with real work, build skills that lead to jobs and careers. They help grow local economies, preserve cultural identity, and support sustainable development. Arts & Craftsmanship: From ceramics and textiles to jewellery and contemporary design, artisans blend tradition with innovation Real challenges: ✅ Skills gaps ✅ Digitalisation needs ✅ Sustainability transitions Apprenticeships can bridge these gaps. |
OUR PLEDGE & ACTIONS
✨ Raise awareness about quality apprenticeship pathways ✨ Train teachers, trainers & craft mentors ✨ Deliver craft-focused skill labs with digital & sustainability elements ✨ Build a local artisan + business network to host apprentices ✨ Share success stories to uplift the image of apprenticeships Our youth-inclusive approach strengthens cultural identity, local skills and innovation. |
What's coming upThe 2026 Pledge "Crafting Futures — Skills, Culture & Innovation" Where tradition meets innovation - Apprenticeships in Arts & Craftsmanship Upcoming Activities: 📌 Workshops for teachers, educators, Youth Workers & mentors 📌 Pilot craft labs in Paphos 📌 Artisan businesses in Paphos 📌 Apprenticeship networking sessions 📅 Contact us [email protected] and join to: ✅ Connect your teaching with real work ✅ Increase the employability of your learners ✅ Support local economies and cultural sectors ✅ Build digital and green skills for the future. |
Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion
EAfA - European Alliance for Apprenticeships
EAfA - European Alliance for Apprenticeships
Find out more
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EAfA is a platform for sharing experiences and learning from best practices. It allows members to:
Companies providing apprenticeships are likely to benefit from a net profit on their investment. This can be either during the apprenticeship, or soon after by employing a fully trained worker.
Evidence suggests that countries with a strong vocational education and training (VET) and apprenticeship system have lower levels of youth unemployment. Often there is a contractual relationship between the employer and the apprentice, with the apprentice being paid for their work.
The EAfA promotes youth employment and supports the aim of the Youth Guarantee, while reducing the disparity between skills supply and demand on the labour market.
EAfA is a platform for sharing experiences and learning from best practices. It allows members to:
- Find partners
- Promote events
- Develop new ideas and activities
- Provide access to the latest news and tools on apprenticeships
Companies providing apprenticeships are likely to benefit from a net profit on their investment. This can be either during the apprenticeship, or soon after by employing a fully trained worker.
Evidence suggests that countries with a strong vocational education and training (VET) and apprenticeship system have lower levels of youth unemployment. Often there is a contractual relationship between the employer and the apprentice, with the apprentice being paid for their work.
The EAfA promotes youth employment and supports the aim of the Youth Guarantee, while reducing the disparity between skills supply and demand on the labour market.
1O Years of EAfA
ETF Seminars for Partner Countries!
A full decade of:
🔹 exchanging knowledge and good practices
🔹 connecting and networking
🔹 collaborating with governments and key stakeholders to strengthen the quality supply of apprenticeships
The 10th EAfA–European Training Foundation Seminar was held, gathering nearly 90 participants from 29 countries 🌍
Each year, this event brings together governments, social partners, students and apprentices associations, and VET providers to exchange on key developments and deepen technical discussions in the field of apprenticeships.
This year’s focus:
• Incentives (financial & non-financial) to make apprenticeships more attractive, inclusive, and effective.
• Better matching between learners and companies.
We explored work-based learning (WBL) in hashtag#Montenegro, visiting also schools and companies offering dual education — and hearing directly from hashtag#learners, hashtag#teachers, hashtag#trainers, and hashtag#employers.
🔑 Key takeaways:
✅ Well-designed and sustainable incentives contribute to the quality of apprenticeships — a cornerstone for learner success and employability
✅ Impactful & inclusive systems start with early and structured stakeholders involvement
✅ Flexible models facilitate contextual adaptation and international cooperation, yet attention to quality is essential
✅ Gender gaps persist, especially in STEM — but promising practices are emerging.
A full decade of:
🔹 exchanging knowledge and good practices
🔹 connecting and networking
🔹 collaborating with governments and key stakeholders to strengthen the quality supply of apprenticeships
The 10th EAfA–European Training Foundation Seminar was held, gathering nearly 90 participants from 29 countries 🌍
Each year, this event brings together governments, social partners, students and apprentices associations, and VET providers to exchange on key developments and deepen technical discussions in the field of apprenticeships.
This year’s focus:
• Incentives (financial & non-financial) to make apprenticeships more attractive, inclusive, and effective.
• Better matching between learners and companies.
We explored work-based learning (WBL) in hashtag#Montenegro, visiting also schools and companies offering dual education — and hearing directly from hashtag#learners, hashtag#teachers, hashtag#trainers, and hashtag#employers.
🔑 Key takeaways:
✅ Well-designed and sustainable incentives contribute to the quality of apprenticeships — a cornerstone for learner success and employability
✅ Impactful & inclusive systems start with early and structured stakeholders involvement
✅ Flexible models facilitate contextual adaptation and international cooperation, yet attention to quality is essential
✅ Gender gaps persist, especially in STEM — but promising practices are emerging.
@EUROstories Pledge
PledgeThe European Alliance for Apprenticeships is a multi-stakeholder initiative steered by the European Commission. The originator of the pledge is solely responsible for implementing the actions outlined in the pledge.
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VET opportunitiesOur pledge provides solutions to overcome challenges, to make the vocational education system a choice for youth. We promote VET as an opportunity for young people, by conducting media campaigns showcasing the values of apprenticeships. We believe that being a member of EAfA help us gather more experience from other European partners and acquire knowledge in order to create an impact at the local level.
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EAfAWe pledge to identify solutions for teachers and tutors in directing youth and students towards apprenticeships and in developing apprenticeship opportunities for our target groups.
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Training:
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