Apprenticeships are a common tool for skill development and social interaction
But automation, globalisation, the growing importance of the service sector, human migration, and new forms of employment like the gig economy are changing how the world does business
It's not clear whether current apprenticeship systems can survive these developments
New research in the International Journal of Training and Development looks at how the institution of apprenticeship has adapted to the rapidly changing economy, labour market, and education system
Using this information, the work examines how the evolving world of business could disrupt apprenticeship systems or make them less relevant in the 21st century
Although more empirical research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn
the work offers a preliminary framework detailing the readiness of the current apprenticeship system for ‘future work’ conditions…
and questions whether the necessary adaptations of apprenticeship systems might affect apprenticeships’ integrity
Erica Smith. Apprenticeships and ‘future work’: Are we ready? (2019) International Journal of Training and Development