The Benefits of a Linkage Between the Education and Employment Systems in the Apprenticeship

In the context of high rates of youth unemployment and NEET, giving youth a better start in the labour market is a key priority for countries. Literature gives the clue to learn that, where the collaboration between education and employment systems in providing VET is well developed; youth employment patterns tend to be better. This is particularly true in countries with developed apprenticeship systems better than in countries with an inadequate or no apprenticeship system. Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland have proven quite successful in giving young people a good start in the labour market and these countries have low youth unemployment rates. Italy has been hit hard by the economic and financial crisis. Nevertheless the Italian government’s response to high youth unemployment has been a comprehensive package of measures (“Jobs Act” and “Good School”) in recent years to improve vocational guidance, prevent early leaving from education and training, increase education and training offers, promote apprenticeships and traineeships, increase staff and improve teachers' professional development.