The VET-EAR RoadMap project, officially titled Access To Work Based Learning Abroad – European Apprenticeship RoadMap, was launched in response to the growing need for comprehensive knowledge and documentation on international apprenticeships within vocational education and training (VET), particularly following Finland’s 2018 VET reform. Recognizing gaps in information and best practices across Europe, the project set out to consolidate insights, foster collaboration, and make apprenticeship opportunities more accessible and attractive for students, educators, and employers alike.
The VET-EAR RoadMap aimed to enhance the flexibility, transparency, and appeal of VET by developing a suite of innovative resources. Central to this was the creation of the European Apprenticeship Roadmap Guide, a manual designed to describe apprenticeship systems across partner countries, offering practical guidance, templates, and best practices. Complementing the guide, the VET-EAR Platform (vet-ear.eu) emerged as a user-friendly digital hub, providing stakeholders with country-specific infographics, downloadable templates, and interactive canvases that visually map the apprenticeship journey from the perspectives of students, providers, and employers.
The project’s activities were meticulously structured and collaborative, involving nine partner organizations from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Spain, France, Italy, and North Macedonia. These partners brought together expertise from secondary and higher VET, adult education, SMEs, and NGOs, ensuring a rich blend of perspectives and a sustainably network for knowledge exchange.
The work was divided among three main teams;
1. VET Team
2. Further Education Team
3. Network Team
Each responsible for key deliverables such as the guide, platform, canvases, and the innovative concept of Apprenticeship Days. These events, held in various formats (on-site, online, hybrid), served to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and showcase the benefits of international apprenticeships.
A significant achievement was the employer survey, which gathered input from 172 regional employers across six countries, far exceeding expectations. The survey provided invaluable insights into the realities, challenges, and needs of companies engaging with apprenticeships, highlighting the importance of clear communication, documentation, and collaboration between VET providers and employers. This feedback directly informed the project’s outputs, ensuring they were grounded in real-world needs.
The project emphasized sustainability and inclusivity. All resources, e.g. guides, templates, canvases, and event concepts, were made freely available online, licensed for open use, and designed to be adaptable for different contexts. The VET-EAR RoadMap also prioritized effective communication and quality control, with regular meetings, transparent reporting, and active engagement of all partners and stakeholders.
The project’s impact was far-reaching: over 9,000 individuals benefited directly or indirectly from its activities, and the resources developed continue to support VET providers, students, employers, and policymakers across Europe. The VET-EAR RoadMap project stands as a model of European cooperation in vocational education, offering a comprehensive, sustainable, and inclusive approach to international apprenticeships. By bridging gaps between education and the labor market, fostering innovation, and promoting best practices, the project has laid a strong foundation for the future of work-based learning in Europe and beyond.
Tfn: 06-324 2000
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