Increasing the availability of apprenticeships

Question for written answer  E-000602/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Karlo Ressler (PPE)

Youth unemployment is a problem that has been affecting the Union for many years, and the pandemic has further contributed by reducing the number of jobs for people under 30 without work experience. To help young people integrate more easily into the labour market, Member States have introduced apprenticeship schemes.

The apprenticeships function as a state employment aid that can offer incentives to employers or public services, to the mutual benefit of both the employer and the young candidate for the apprenticeship. During the apprenticeship, employers train and invest in the future workforce, while the apprentice acquires knowledge and experience and enjoys full employment rights. Apprentices are thus given the opportunity to be financially rewarded while improving their professional skills.

Given that apprenticeships are a concrete, proven and successful form of assistance to young people in gaining their first work experience, they need to be bolstered by increasing the intensity of the scheme, for which the Commission has clear powers. This is especially evident for countries that had high youth unemployment even before the pandemic. This would encourage employers to use it more often and provide opportunities for young people to find their first job.

In light of the above, what does the Commission plan to do to approve an increase in the availability of apprenticeship schemes in the private sector, particularly in countries with higher youth unemployment such as Croatia?