A key promise of dual VET is that young people gain valuable workplace experience while developing skills that improve their employability and career prospects. However, the workplace is also where important risks can emerge. Apprentices may experience poor training quality, unsafe working conditions, weak supervision, or lack effective mechanisms to raise concerns and protect their rights. As countries expand and strengthen dual VET systems, one critical question becomes increasingly important:
Who can lobby for the interests and needs of apprentices and ensure high-quality workplace learning?
In many partner countries, dual VET reforms are primarily driven by governments, employers, and business membership organisations. While these actors play a crucial role in establishing apprenticeship systems and receive a lot of attention, the perspectives of employees and apprentices are often less visible. Yet ensuring that apprentices receive quality training, fair treatment, and meaningful learning opportunities is not only important for apprentices themselves. It is also a key concern for parents, who entrust companies and training institutions with the education, well-being, and future prospects of their children.
Many established dual VET systems address these challenges through governance arrangements that involve different stakeholders in overseeing apprenticeship quality and safeguarding apprentice interests. This webinar will explore practical approaches to apprentice protection and discuss how social dialogue, worker representation, and multi-stakeholder cooperation can contribute to high-quality and inclusive apprenticeship systems.
What to expect:
Keynote: International Perspectives on Apprentice Protection
Alessandra Molz (ILO)
Introducing international principles, recommendations and practical guidance on quality apprenticeships, learner protection and the role of social dialogue.
Country Spotlight: Austria
Margharita Langthaler (ÖFSE)
Representative of the Arbeiterkammer
Representative of the Wirtschaftskammer
The speakers will discuss how apprentice interests are protected in Austria, how employers’ and workers’ organisations cooperate in practice, and what lessons can be transferred through international cooperation initiatives, including experiences from Serbia.
Lessons from German Development Cooperation
Representative from GIZ
Representative from GEW
Project representatives from partner countries (e.g. Uzbekistan)
This session will explore practical approaches, challenges and lessons learned from implementing apprentice protection mechanisms and strengthening learner representation in different country contexts.
Interactive Exchange
Participants will be invited to share experiences through the webinar chat, submit questions throughout the event, and engage in an open Q&A session with the speakers at the end.
Why participate?
- Gain practical insights into protecting apprentices in dual VET systems
- Learn about international standards and recommendations
- Understand how Austria approaches apprentice representation and quality assurance
- Explore the role of social dialogue and worker representation in improving dual VET quality
- Exchange experiences with colleagues and practitioners from different partner countries
- Strengthen your advisory capacity on inclusive and high-quality dual VET reforms
Registration Link will follow soon!
We look forward to your participation!
The DC dVET Team