Apprenticeships and traineeships for the Ukraine Youth Guarantee – findings from a quality assessment

The Knowledge Sharing Programme for the Inter-Agency Working Group on Youth Guarantee in Ukraine aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the initiative, examine available services and support for young people in order to build effective implementation strategy. 

Youth employment policy is a high priority in Ukraine. The European Union (EU) is supporting Ukraine’s reforms aimed at consolidation of education and training relevance and employment services in the context of reconstruction, recovery and preparation for EU accession. The Youth Guarantee aims to ensure that all young people under the age of 30 can avail of a good quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within a period of 4 months after becoming unemployed or leaving education.

Apprenticeships and traineeships are two important forms of work-based learning (WBL). Apprenticeships – also known as dual programmes – are designed to develop occupational skills and lead to recognised qualifications. Because of their particular importance for youth employment, the EU has developed quality standards for both traineeships and apprenticeships.

In 2025, the ETF conducted an analysis  of the main VET programmes in Ukraine against the criteria of these two EU frameworks. 

This webinar aims to present the main findings of the ETF analysis on the quality of work-based learning (WBL) in initial vocational education and training (IVET), continuing vocational education and training (CVET) and active labour market policies (ALMPs), and to discuss challenges and gaps. 

The session will also explore advantages of active membership in the European Alliance for Apprenticeship (EAfA) for Ukrainian partners.