Recruiters Adecco and Capita were among 40 companies and organisations to join the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) yesterday, who together are pledging to make a total of 140,000 apprenticeships and training opportunities available to young people across Europe.

The new pledges were signed in the Latvian capital Riga during a meeting of ministers in charge of vocational education and training, the European social partners and the European Commission, organised by the Latvian Presidency.

Adecco pledged to provide 5,000 young people with work-based training by 2017, either at the main firm or at one of its partner companies, while Capita will offer more than 500 apprenticeships for young people this year and work with other major employers to do the same. Capita’s work includes recruiting and training 400 apprentices for the civil service and more than 600 for banks.

EAfA was set up in 2013 to promote apprenticeship schemes and initiatives across Europe by bringing together public authorities, businesses, social partners, education providers and youth representatives.

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