The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) developed a report where it states that Latin America and the Caribbean faces major youth labor market challenges their countries face. As a result, countries in the region are seeking potential solutions to increase the access of youth to quality jobs by improving their skills and enabling positive employability pathways. Simultaneously, companies in all sectors of Latin American economies frequently claim they have difficulties finding the talent they require and are concerned about job applicants’ lack of technical and soft skills.

According to the IDB, there are several tools to help the youth improve their skills and employability, and Apprenticeships are one of those tools that have proven successful for countries outside of the region, making Latin American countries increasingly interested in experimenting with this type of approach.

The study intends to decompose apprenticeships. First, based on an extensive review of existing literature, it proposes a formal definition of apprenticeships that differentiates this type of training modality from other types of skills training.

Second, it explores core elements and principles in depth that are central to apprenticeship programs —both in terms of their design and delivery— and presents examples of best practices from around the world that Latin American countries can use as potential instruments to apply within their contexts.

Third, it assesses the status of apprenticeship-type programs in Latin America and provides an overview of the specific challenges these programs face in the region. By providing potential solutions to address them, the study sheds light on the transferability of long-standing apprenticeship models (Germany, Austria, Australia, the United Kingdom, among others) and, more so, of the aforementioned core elements and principles to the Latin American context.

Finally, in an attempt to close the gap between the theoretical and the practical, it provides a hands-on tool kit for policy makers and employers to ask pertinent questions when considering the design of new programs or the revamping of existing ones.

To read the complete report, click here.