The topic of Work Based Learning and quality assurance in apprenticeships is one of European priorities highlighted by Council of the European Union. Apprenticeships and WBL have an added value for both the employer and the apprentice. The project “Benchmarking for quality assurance in apprenticeships and work-based learning (WBL) (BEQUAL.app)” targets this realisation with different partners from various European countries coming together (Lithuania, Greece, Germany, Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia) and supported by the European Commission to develop    benchmarking tools for quality assurance in WBL.

Italy like all European countries faces challenges in implementing quality assurance in WBL including unemployment, migration or quantitative and qualitative discrepancy between demand and supply at labour market. Overcoming these challenges and supporting continuous change in educational institutions and companies was the core discussion of the   online workshop organised by Effebi, as partner leading the BEQUAL project in Italy  

The event was introduced by Dr Roberto Quinale, roberto has a accountHead Industrial Relations, HR legal and Labour Litigation BNL BNP Paribas. Prof Flavio Celaschi, Professor at University of Bologna, an expert in Design-driven innovation for businesses, organizations and public administrations outlined the innovative positive changes in Work Based Learning. Dr Carlo Scatole, Senior Expert for the European Commission outlined how the European Commission is ensuring that Erasmus offers young people work based learning opportunities in providing students with real-life work experience as one of the main objectives of Erasmus+.  Professor Liliana Borrello as President of Confao, an institution that promotes orientation opportunities for students through study programs interlinked with labour market needs, shared her experiences related to Work Based Learning . Dr Alessandro Alberti, Senior Director Medialab reflected on the importance of Work Based Learning which among other factors teaches soft skills, a skill which in today’s world cannot be replicated by technology. Dr Alberto Piccolo Head of Training Centre Deutsche Bank accentuated the importance of Work Based Learning and how such training is imperative to build on University qualifications. He also highlighted the importance of soft skills and put forward the Top 10 skills required in 2025 as concluded by the World Economic Forum Report.

Mario Spatafora, President of  Effebi introduced the Bequal project to the audience . To ensure that quality assurance   are outlined , the project  has developed  three  benchmarking tools for quality assurance in WBL. The value of the BEQUAL.app is that tools focus on WBL and includes the interests of all stakeholders in the VET system .The Main outputs are a PLATFORM as repository of a selection of good practices  and a BADGE to recognize Organizations’ engagement  in Quality Assurance in apprenticeships

A discussion on Work Based Learning follwed  by Dr Lucia Landi HR ,  Cassa di Risparmio di Cento  and  Dr Sabina Leoni Banco BPM.

More information about the Bequal project can be found https://bequal.info/

The information is available in English, Italian, Croatian, Slovenian, Italian and German.