Work-Based Learning (WBL)
WBL refers to all forms of learning that take place in a real work environment. It can take place within formal and non-formal education and training as well as informal learning that can be undertaken throughout a person’s lifetime with the aim of improving competences including knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to successfully obtain and keep jobs and progress within individual career pathways. Apprenticeships, internships, traineeships and on-the-job training are the most common types of WBL.The promotion and wider accessibility of apprenticeships and other work-based training opportunities can reduce youth unemployment, facilitate transitions into the workforce, enhance the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and enable workers to develop relevant skills in a rapidly changing world of work.
The International Labour Conference recently adopted the Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208), offering detailed guidance to Member States on promoting and regulating apprenticeships.
Youth Attendance In Education And Training Or Lack Thereof
Quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all are central to ensuring a full and productive life to all individuals. However, worldwide, just around half of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are actively participating in education and training. Disparities in participation rates exist across different countries, with figures ranging from as low as 20 percent to nearly 80 percent. In terms of regional differences, attendance rates are highest in Europe and Central Asia, where more than 66 percent of youth are engaged, and lowest in Africa, where only 45 percent participate. Although young women are more likely than young men to be enrolled in education or training in most regions except Africa, still only 48.6% of adult women (aged 25 and over) are employed compared to 75.6% of adult men.
The Vocational Education Conundrum
Vocational education is a key player in honing specialized skills. But only 13.6 per cent of youth (aged 15-24) worldwide have completed technical and vocational education and training. The share is highest in Europe and Central Asia, at 19.0 per cent, and lowest in Africa, at 9.2 per cent.
Participation in Work-Based Learning
Based on data for 85 countries, about 25 out of 1000 youth (aged 15-24) participate in apprenticeship or internship programmes. There is huge variation across countries, however, as well as across age groups. Work based learning is still underused. Adults benefit less from work-based learning than youth, with only 14 per 1,000 adults compared to 25 per 1,000 youth.
Lack of Paid Work-Based Learning Opportunities
One of the defining criteria of apprenticeships as per the Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208) is that they include “remuneration or other financial compensation”. However, Based on data from 31 countries that make distinction between paid and unpaid work-based learners among youth (age 15-24), most trainees in developing countries are not paid.
Conclusion
The new ILO Quality Apprenticeships Recommendation, 2023 (No. 208), alongside updated indicators, highlight the importance of adjusting policies to ensure work-based learning is both effective and inclusive. Disparities in participation among different age groups and genders underscore the urgency of these reforms. To close these divides, policymakers should prioritize equal access to work-based learning opportunities for all demographics, not just during recruitment but also throughout training, evaluation, and the transition to employment. Additionally, addressing the issue of unpaid work-based learning is essential. Governments need to implement policies that guarantee safe workplaces for learners and ensure they receive the same rights and social protection as other workers. They should also be fairly compensated for their contributions.
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