A new declaration calls for making apprentice mobility easier, strengthening Erasmus+ support and recognising learn-ing outcomes across Europe.
International mobility has long been more accessible to higher education students than to vocational learners. Building on MONA, a project aiming to embed international mobility in apprenticeship training, Euro App Mobility (EAM) organised the conference Towards the European Apprenticeship Area on 15 October 2026 in Paris. SwissCore attended the event, which brought together nearly 550 participants from 14 EU countries to discuss how apprentices could benefit from the same international opportunities as students.
The conference took stock of MONA’s achievements and remaining barriers to mobility. According to the organiser’s post-event account, the project supported nearly 20’000 mobility experiences over five years, involved 57 partner training centres and welcomed more than 600 young Europeans to France. These results provided a basis for discussions on expanding mobility and strengthening cooperation between training providers, employers and public authorities.
Participants adopted the declaration Towards the European Apprenticeship Area, setting out seven priorities: professionalising and supporting staff responsible for apprentice mobility; strengthening cross-border cooperation and interconnected mobility ecosystems, following the example of the European Coalition for Apprentice Mobility (ECAM); expanding employers’ clubs across European countries and territories; assessing and recognising learning outcomes, experience and knowledge gained abroad when awarding vocational qualifications at home; aligning national frameworks to facilitate outgoing and incoming mobility, particularly for learners at EQF levels 3, 4 and 5; ensuring sufficient Erasmus+ funding under the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework to reach the Council’s target of 12% of VET learners participating in international mobility by 2030; and recognising apprentice mobility in the forthcoming European VET strategy.
The recommendations made in the declaration are closely linked to challenges identified by apprentices themselves. During the conference, participants highlighted barriers such as financial constraints, accommodation difficulties, language obstacles, administrative burdens and insufficient preparation of placements. They also pointed to the specific legal uncertainties that can arise during VET cross-border mobility. Depending on national frameworks, apprentices may be classified as workers rather than learners, creating additional administrative and legal complexity that can limit participation in mobility schemes. At the same time, apprentices emphasised the benefits of international mobility, including the acquisition of professional and transversal skills, greater autonomy and improved employability.
Employer involvement was another central theme. Several speakers shared concrete examples of mobility’s impact, including cases where international placements helped retain apprentices within companies and encouraged other young people to apply for their apprenticeship positions. While many companies recognise the value of international experience for learners, staff absences, organisational constraints and financial costs continue to discourage participation. Participants stressed the importance of stronger employer engagement and targeted support measures. Alongside the conference, Euro App Mobility organised the launch of a European Employers’ Club, extending an initiative established in France in 2024. The club aims to mobilise businesses in support of a European Apprenticeship Area. Other follow-up actions highlighted by the organiser include the LIISA grant with the Michelin Corporate Foundation and the EAM Connect app.
These calls come as the EU prepares the next Erasmus+ programme. The European Commission has proposed approximately EUR 41 billion for 2028-2034, while the European Parliament adopted a negotiating position on 22 October calling for EUR 47.39 billion and wider access, including for vocational learners. These remain negotiating proposals rather than an agreed budget.
For Swiss VET stakeholders, the discussions offer a reference point for internationalisation, particularly on employer involvement, recognition of learning outcomes and sustained mobility support. The declaration and follow-up actions illustrate complementary approaches: improving the framework for mobility while developing practical support for the organisations and learners involved.