Quality of apprenticeships in Europe - CEDEFOP

The CEDEFOP report “Quality of apprenticeships in Europe” (2026) compares 34 apprenticeship schemes across the EU, Iceland and Norway.

The 5 key points are:

1. Apprenticeships are becoming more established and higher quality.
   All 34 schemes have written agreements, workplace training, trainers and learning plans. Apprentices are also paid or receive an allowance in every scheme.

2. Workplace learning is central.
   In 23 of the 34 schemes, regulations specify that at least 50% of the apprenticeship should take place in the workplace. This gives apprentices substantial practical experience alongside classroom learning.

3. Apprenticeships are increasingly providing routes to higher education.
   Almost three quarters of the schemes allow graduates to progress directly to higher levels of education or training. Apprenticeships are also increasingly available at higher qualification levels, including EQF Level 5 and above.

4. There are still differences in the quality of workplace training.
   Although every scheme requires an in-company trainer, only about one third have clear requirements covering the trainer's experience, qualifications and teaching skills. Also, 53% of schemes lack specific standards defining exactly what should be learned in the workplace.

5. Better guidance and information are needed.
   Career guidance and support exist in most schemes, but information about apprenticeship opportunities is not always comprehensive or easy to access. Cedefop highlights the need to make apprenticeships clearer and more attractive to students, parents and employers.

For teenagers, the main message is: apprenticeships are increasingly a paid route combining education with real workplace experience, and they do not necessarily close the door on progressing to higher education.

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