SMEs Quality Apprenticeships Supporting Programme

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SMEs Quality Apprenticeships Supporting Programme

This strategic initiative of the HABITABLE project has been designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing and delivering high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.

The programme will provide SMEs with:

Tailored resources, technical support, needs assessment, tools and methodologies to create structured and inclusive apprenticeships that effectively bridge the skills gap in the workforce. As well as a new set of innovative methods to align apprenticeship programmes with the SDGs, supporting the digital and green transition of SMEs
A tailor-made training course on design and management of Green, Digital and Inclusive Apprenticeship, to support their offers for apprenticeship.

Through collaboration with VET institutions, the program will support SMEs in designing training models that align with industry needs, ensuring apprentices receive hands-on experience and relevant competencies. It will also promote the adoption of inclusive policies, helping businesses integrate diverse talent into their workforce. By enhancing the quality of apprenticeships in SMEs, the program will contribute to a more skilled, adaptable, and competitive labor market, supporting both business growth and long-term employability for apprentices.

Content of the SMEs Quality Apprenticeships Supporting Programme

Training course on design and management of Green, Digital and Inclusive Apprenticeship

The Quality Apprenticeship Supporting Programme helps SMEs to offer high-quality apprenticeship training. It supports businesses with a wide range of innovative methods and best practice examples to improve the quality of training and make it more digital, greener and more inclusive.

The programme is structured into four areas, based on the ILO (International Labour Organization) apprenticeship training life cycle:

Developing a more green and digital Quality Apprenticeship programme
First phase, in which the basic conditions for apprenticeship training are established, such as identifying and/or developing the legal framework, job profiles, curricula and learning materials.
Preparing quality training places
Preparing the training places by establishing partnerships, preparing trainers/teachers and the necessary equipment, and registering the company to be allowed to train apprentices.
Organising Quality Apprenticeship training
Actual training of apprentices, comprising the recruitment of apprentices, the preparation of a training plan, as well as the delivery of training and performance assessment.
Post-training transition and evaluation
Phase following the completion of the apprenticeship, during which apprentices are supported in their transition into the labour market and the training programme is evaluated and continuously improved.

In addition to the numerous practical examples integrated into the programme, 10 additional documents have been created to provide further support for implementing the steps described in the apprenticeship training. These documents are a mix of templates, descriptions and practical guidance designed to make working through the programme more practical.

Regulatory framework – Austrian system
Overview of the regulatory framework in Austria regarding apprenticeship training, presented through answers to the questions in the programme.

Skills needs in carpentry (technology)
Description of the skills required for the carpentry (technology) apprenticeship at EQF levels 3/4.

Identifying skills needs – Digital competencies
Overview of digital skills – specifically technical knowledge, technical skills and soft skills – both in general and tailored to the Habitat sector.

Identifying skills needs – Green competencies
Overview of green skills – specifically technical knowledge, technical skills and soft skills – both in general and tailored to the Habitat sector.

Developing occupational profiles and curricula – Occupational profile – Carpentry in Austria
Illustrative example of an occupational profile for carpentry (technology) based on the Austrian standard.

Developing occupational profiles and curricula – Microcredentials
Overview of 10 micro-credentials for the carpentry (technology) apprenticeship training, developed on the basis of the skills set out in the document ‘Skills needs in carpentry (technology)’.

Formulating apprenticeship agreements – Apprenticeship contract template – general
Template of a sample training contract for apprenticeship training.

Formulating apprenticeship agreements – Apprenticeship contract template – remuneration
Template of a sample training contract for apprenticeship training – specifically regarding the remuneration.

Preparing location – Checklist for carpentry apprenticeship
Description of the recommended equipment for carpentry apprenticeship training, both in general and tailored to the micro-credentials set out in the document ‘Developing occupational profiles and curricula – Microcredentials’.

Example training plan
Sample training plan for carpentry apprenticeships based on the micro-credentials from the document ‘Developing occupational profiles and curricula – Microcredentials’.