Work-based learning
Building stronger links between education and work through apprenticeships, traineeships and work-based learning
Work-based learning (WBL) refers to all forms of learning that occur in a real work environment. It equips individuals with the skills necessary to obtain, maintain and advance in their jobs and professional development. Common types of work-based learning include:
- apprenticeships and dual vocational education and training,
- internships and traineeships and
- on-the-job training.
These often, but not always, combine workplace learning with classroom-based education.
In collaboration with other international organisations, the ETF has published a leaflet which briefly explains the key terms and concepts relating to work-based learning: Work-based learning: an introduction to key concepts | ETF
The ETF’s activities on WBL are aligned with the European Union’s key policies on Vocational Education and Training (VET), including
- the 2026 Council Recommendation on Human Capital,
- the 2020 Council Recommendation on Vocational Education and Training (VET),
- the 2025 Herning Declaration on attractive and inclusive Vocational Education and Training, and
- the European Skills Agenda.
What is the ETF doing in the area of WBL?
- Supporting WBL in VET reforms
The ETF supports partner countries in designing, updating, and implementing WBL policies with a view to enhancing the relevance, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of VET and lifelong learning systems. Through policy advice, the ETF promotes the active involvement of social partners, policymakers, training providers, and other relevant stakeholders. Examples include ad-hoc support regarding regulatory frameworks and financing mechanisms, or more specific aspects such as school production units. The ETF develops methods, instruments, and guidelines to support the implementation of WBL, including monitoring and evaluation frameworks. This is sometimes done in collaboration with international partners.
To support policy-makers on key issues relating to work-based learning, the ETF has produced three handbooks:
Learn more:
- Assessing the quality of WBL
In 2025, the ETF has conducted mappings and analysis of the quality of WBL in IVET, CVET and active labour market policies (ALMPs) in Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina (forthcoming, covering only ALMPs), Kosovo*, Moldova (forthcoming) Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine,
This work is aligned with key European frameworks for WBL quality. Based on these assessments, in 2026, the ETF has carried out two cross-country analyses, one covering IVET and CVET and one covering ALMPs.
- The European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships (EFQEA), used to guide the work on WBL in initial VET (IVET) and Continuing VET (CVET)
The European Quality Framework for Traineeships (EQFT), used to guide the work on Active Labour Market Policies (ALMPs).
- Contributing to the European Alliance for Apprenticeship
The ETF works closely with the EU Commission (DG EMPL) to support the work of the European Alliance for Apprenticeship (EAfA), in particular assisting partner countries to preparing national commitments and encourage stakeholders to join and actively engage with the alliance.
The ETF regularly organises regional seminars under the EAfA platform to support cooperation and knowledge exchange of good practices. These occasions offer EAfA members the opportunity to share their experiences and analytical insights, as well as foster collaboration between countries, employer, employee and apprentice organisations, and training providers. Previous seminars have taken place in Türkiye (2016), Montenegro (2017), Albania (2018), North Macedonia (2019), Serbia (2022), Italy (2023), Albania (2024) and Montenegro (2025).
Learn more:
- European Training Foundation (2026, forthcoming): Cross-country analysis of work-based learning in Albania, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. An assessment as per EU quality standards in initial and continuing VET, Turin.
- European Training Foundation (2026b, forthcoming): Work based learning practices in the context of Active Labour Market Policies in the Western Balkans. A cross-country assessment per EU quality assurance standards, Turin
- European Training Foundation (2026c forthcoming), Work-based learning in Bosnia and Herzegovina – an assessment per EU quality standards. European Training Foundation: Torino.
- European Training Foundation (2026d, forthcoming), Work-based learning in Moldova – an assessment per EU quality standards. European Training Foundation: Torino.
- European Training Foundation (2025a), Work-based learning in Albania – an assessment per EU quality standards. European Training Foundation: Torino.
- European Training Foundation (2025b), Work-based learning in Kosovo* – an assessment per EU quality standards. European Training Foundation: Torino.
- European Training Foundation (2025c), Work-based learning in North Macedonia – an assessment per EU quality standards. European Training Foundation: Torino.
- European Training Foundation (2025d), Work-based learning in Montenegro – an assessment per EU quality standards. European Training Foundation: Torino
- European Training Foundation (2025e), Work-based learning in Serbia – an assessment per EU quality standards. European Training Foundation: Torino.
- Strengthening international cooperation
The ETF contributes to the inter-agency working group on WBL, composed by UNESCO, ILO, OECD, the European Commission, Cedefop and the World Bank. In this group, the ETF supports joint initiatives and knowledge development, for example through the publication of advocacy tools and leaflet on WBL related topics like Work-based learning: an introduction to key concepts | ETF and Work-based learning and the green transition | ETF
. The ETF also cooperates with Cedefop through joint analyses of the quality of apprenticeships in EU Member States and EU candidate countries, offering countries opportunities for peer learning and knowledge exchange.
In addition, the ETF maintains ongoing collaboration with the Donor Committee for dual VET (DCdVET) and ERISEE.
Finally, the ETF is contributing to an academic research project on apprenticeships as a member of an advisory board at the Oslo Metropolitan University.
Learn more:
- Work-based learning: an introduction to key concepts | ETF;
- Work-based learning and the green transition | ETF