6th seminar of the European Alliance of Ashkertur, 2023T., October, Sword, Italy:
All together now for the apprenticeship.
Two sayings captured the spirit of the European Apprenticeship Alliance workshop for EAfA partner countries, from October 11 to 12: “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together", — quoted by the European Training Foundation (ETF) director Pilvi Torstin, which urged participants to move forward towards far-reaching changes:
Every participant in any conference, anywhere, any time, usually admits, that networking is one of the main purposes of their participation: And what can be more of unity Every participant of any conference?, anywhere, any time, usually admits, that networking is one of the main purposes of their participation: And what could be more about unity?, than network relationships: But the value of networking is hard to measure, even anecdotally: Aidan Kenny, Teachers' Union of Ireland, did a good job: "This is our second EAfA meeting after COVID", – he said in an interview: “I have to admit, that despite all the webinars and online seminars, there is no such thing, what is a private network": He met Albania, "things to hear from their point of view" of representatives of Ukraine and beyond its borders: He had serious discussions with six people about possible visits to Ireland to find out, how things are happening there:, than network relationships: But the value of networking is hard to measure, even anecdotally: Aidan Kenny, Teachers' Union of Ireland, did a good job: "This is our second EAfA meeting after COVID", – he said in an interview: “I have to admit, that despite all the webinars and online seminars, there is no such thing, what is a private network": He met Albania, "things to hear from their point of view" of representatives of Ukraine and beyond its borders: He had serious discussions with six people about possible visits to Ireland to find out, how things are happening there:
"The most important thing for us is the exchange of experience", – said Magda Bolotashvili, Deputy General Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Georgia: Georgia is still building social infrastructure, that are commonplace in other free market economies: "The most important thing is, that our vocational education system includes the private sector, and here we have learned many examples, how to do it",- he said:
Adults are part of society.
Most national apprenticeship schemes are aimed at young people, maximum 29 per year: However, some observers wonder, whether apprenticeship programs should be expanded or approved for older adults, especially given the current and projected disruptions in the labor market and lifelong learning, training and upskilling needs:
The EU and others are pushing for green and digital transitions, but those and other changes may turn some current employees into collateral damage in their pursuit of advancement: "There should be VET, to give people a second chance", – Riondino said:
"They may have to do a new apprenticeship.", – Kenny said: "I'm asking from a trade union point of view. "What is the process?": One of the tools, in his opinion, should be microcredentials, which can be flexible and accessible:
Apprenticeships can be for older workers, but it depends on their needs and circumstances: "Increasing apprenticeships can improve inclusion", – says Tatiana Marinkovic, Professor of Applied Research at the Academy of Technical Applied Research, Belgrade, Serbia: "But when we talk about increasing the skills of people already in companies, short cycle courses work better":
A little easier
In closing remarks, Rondino wondered aloud, why writing complicates the life of an "incredible success story"., such as Piazza dei Mestieri, a trade school for underprivileged teenagers in Turin, Italy, which many participants visited yesterday: To meet Italian regulations, it must divide its operations into four units and maintain four sets of books: "How can we make it easier?":
