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Strong initiatives for the international mobility of apprentices

The Minister of Labor, Elisabeth Borne, has just confirmed this, on January 20, at the ministerial conference “New generation Erasmus, developing European mobility for apprentices” organized as part of the PFUE 2022. Present at this event, Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, has expressed his willingness to take initiatives aimed at removing the obstacles of all kinds that penalize access to international openness for professional learners.

 

“Uniting our Efforts”

 

While all opinions are unanimous in recognizing that an international mobility of several months is a tremendous added value, apprentices are still face barriers to benefit from this experience. Since it is recognized that the top priority is the interest of the learner, let us unite our efforts to erase the obstacles and elevate the desire for a sufficiently long mobility. The encouragements by the national governments must correspond to a force coming from the field, triggered by the main actors in apprenticeship; training centers, companies and young people. Faced with a current of enthusiasm and determination, there is no obstacle that remains. And I have no doubt that the public authorities will take action. The duration of mobility impacts the apprentices’ ability to be immersed in another country, another culture, another language, and other professional practices. Evidently, Erasmus is also for apprentices.

 

International mobility, a driver of inclusion

 

Thirty-five years of Erasmus have allowed more than ten million people to experience their European citizenship. The new 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework has significantly increased the program’s allocation for an overall envelope of more than 28 billion euros. This anniversary is an opportunity to propose arrangements aimed at promoting mobility as a driver for inclusion. To this end, beyond the Erasmus+ programme, cohesion policy funds (ERDF, ESF+) can be mobilized in favor of vocational training and mobility actions. Moreover, facilities must be offered to learners on the move in the countries to access local social, sports, and cultural activities.

 

The mobilization of Euro App Mobility in 2022

 

At the start of the year, Euro App Mobility is taking action to implement the measures set out in the manifesto resulting from the General Assembly on the mobility of apprentices in September 2021. At first, by supporting VET centers ready to commit to their mobility projects with a full-time mobility coach. The means required for this addition constitute an investment for the future. Experimentation calls for will and pragmatism, two keys to breaking down the barriers. The success of this step should pave the way for its expansion in all countries. The launch of this operation will be aligned with the launch of our platform for connecting a network for international mobility. Finally, in Brussels, EAM.EU, an international non-profit association has just been approved by royal decree. The team is ready to expand our ambition to its full European dimension, in all the different countries and institutions. The Council, the Parliament and the Commission are at work to design a unified status for apprentices in mobility, with the hope of a unified status for apprenticeship in general.

 

Jean Arthuis

 

President of Euro App Mobility