The ILO Human Resources Development Recommendation, 1975 (No. 195) calls upon the countries to promote equal access to education, training and lifelong learning for:

• People with nationally identified special needs, such as youth, low-skilled people, people with disabilities, migrants, older workers, indigenous people, ethnic minority groups and the socially excluded;
• Workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, in the informal economy, in the rural sector and in self-employment
• Women and men.

Quality Apprenticeships should have special policy measures to ensure equal representation of all.  The aim of this chapter is to gauge the level of inclusiveness of women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in apprenticeships schemes, and to present some practical ways in which they might participate more readily in Quality Apprenticeships programmes. Taking action to increase the diversity in apprenticeship schemes requires a range of measures including: awareness raising, setting targets/quotas, diversifying delivery, expanding occupational options, addressing affordability. Targeted measures are essential to address the particular disadvantages faced by certain groups.