The 111th International Labour Conference (ILC) adopted a new Recommendation on Quality Apprenticeships, with the objective of supporting "opportunities for people of all ages to become skilled, reskilled and continuously up-skilled" in rapidly changing labour markets. It provides a clear definition of apprenticeship and specifies the aspirational standards for quality apprenticeships, including the rights and protection of apprentices.

For the purpose of this recommendation

(a) "apprenticeship" should be understood as a form of education and training governed by an apprenticeship contract, enabling an apprentice to acquire the skills required to pursue an occupation through structured training with remuneration or other financial compensation, on-the-job and off-the-job, and leading to the attainment of a recognised qualification;

b) "intermediary" should mean any entity, other than the host enterprise or the education and training institution, which coordinates or supports an apprenticeship, or assists in its implementation;

c) "pre-apprenticeship programme" should be understood as a programme designed to help aspiring apprentices develop their competences in order to improve their preparation for integration into the workplace or to meet the formal requirements for access to an apprenticeship; d) "recognition of prior learning" should be understood as the process of identification, documentation, assessment and certification by qualified personnel of competences that a person has acquired through formal, non-formal or informal training, based on established qualification standards.

This recommendation applies to apprenticeships in all enterprises and sectors of economic activity. Its recommendations may be given effect through national legislation, collective agreements, policies and programmes or other measures in accordance with national law and practice.