School of Education and Arts professor Erica Smith was one of 10 experts from around the world to take part in a workshop focusing on apprenticeship governance and financing. 

The workshop, in Greece, was organised by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training. 

“There is a real push now to use apprenticeships to reduce youth unemployment, partic- ularly in Europe,” Professor Smith said.

“The EU has recently launched a Youth Guarantee to ensure every person under 25 will have a job or an apprenticeship within four months of leaving school or of becoming unemployed.

“Many countries have started or expressed their intention to establish or expand apprenticeship systems.”

Professor Smith, who recently completed a major research project on developing the apprenticeship system in India, said she was hoping that her research would also inform Australian policy.

“The TAFE sector has shrunk and is not expanding,” Professor Smith said. 

“More needs to be put back into TAFE.”

She said the recent state government TAFE cuts had directly affected courses popular with youth.

“Funding has been withdrawn from courses like retail and hospitality,” she said. “It is not viable for any training provider to offer them any more.”

Professor Smith said more employers needed to be encouraged to take on apprentices.

But she said employers also needed more support. 

“There should be specific training for employers in managing apprentices.

“It is not an easy job to manage apprenticeship or a trainee.”

Professor Smith’s work in India was done on behalf of the International Labour Organisation. 

neelima.choahan@fairfaxmedia.com.au