Formulating apprenticeship agreements

The issue: What elements should an apprenticeship agreement contain?

A written agreement between an apprentice and an employer, and sometimes involving another party (e.g. TVET provider or intermediary organization), that clarifies their rights and obligations as well as the training and working conditions for apprenticeship training is an essential component. It serves to regulate apprenticeship training at the enterprise level and is essential for its effective and smooth implementation.

In most cases, the regulatory framework for apprenticeships specifies the form and content of an apprenticeship agreement and stipulates the essential (minimum) conditions for training. It also offers employers the flexibility to include additional components according to the needs of their enterprise and to provide better working conditions, above the minimum requirements. While national circumstances vary, an apprenticeship agreement typically covers the following:

  • details of parties entering the agreement
  • purposes of the agreement
  • applicable national laws and regulations
  • roles and responsibilities of the employer, the apprentice and any other party
  • target occupation and qualification
  • training conditions, such as the duration of training, on- and off-the-job training arrangements, assessment and certification
  • working conditions, such as wages/stipend and allowances, social security coverage, training and working hours, leave entitlement, compensation for work-related injuries and illnesses, occupational safety and health
  • dispute settlement mechanisms and arrangements for the termination of the agreement
  • conditions of transfer to other enterprises
  • probation period
  • confidentiality and privacy matters.