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D) Advantages of Apprenticeship
Therefore, at this level, the idea is to provide the individual with at
least 2 options based on his/her preferences, that were identified during the
assessment phase and maybe include other 2 or 3 outside the area of his/her
interest. This approach will facilitate decision and it will increase the confidence
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of making the right choice. It is important to have a large list of options to fit the
different preferences of youngsters, but presenting the offer in a manageable,
individualized manner prevents the overwhelming difficulty of selecting ''the
right'' apprenticeship program.
The vocational training duration should be kept at minimum, as longer
periods diminish motivation. Many potential apprentices might have had bad
experiences with the school system therefore they are unwilling or reluctant to
engage in classroom-like training approaches that focus mostly on providing
theoretical knowledge. Providing vocational training in the real work
environment, with the focus on developing the practical skills and the basic soft
skills, can be very attractive and enhance the motivation for participation. Also,
the perspective of an internship at a private enterprise, on the open labor
market can mitigate the negative expectations about training outcomes (''I study
for nothing, nobody will hire me anyway '') and learned helplessness regarding
work.
For some youngsters, especially for those that had negative
experiences at former workplaces, no work history, low work skills the friendly,
tolerant, inclusive and stigma-free environment of social enterprises can be a
strong incentive and a good starting point. There they can find supporting
colleagues and peers that can act as positive role models and skilled mentors
that can kindly coach them to develop relevant work skills and knowledge. Of
course, for the other NEETs that already have the skills and the experiences, the
apprenticeship might seem a waste of time and resources. Therefore, this stage
could be skipped, and other services should be provided, for example support
with finding a job on the open labour market or coaching for performing
efficiently at task.
Some apprenticeship programs can be developed within the private
firms and subsidies are offered for both the apprentice and the employer
through existing national programs. Money are a strong work incentive
therefore, it is important to check if there are any fiscal opportunities that could
PART 1 encourage the development of apprenticeship programs and training of mentors
working also in private firms. Increasing the number of apprentices within the
private firm or organization can have a positive impact on organizational
development.
D) Advantages of Apprenticeship
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