What’s the role of apprenticeships in the future of work?

Often called an international parliament of work standards, the International Labour Conference is a forum for discussion of key social and labour questions – later adopted by governments.

International labour standards are legal instruments that set out basic principles and define rights at work. These are often in the form of: 

• legally binding treaties which can be ratified by governments
• recommendations which serve as non-binding guidelines.

But even if not legally-binding, any recommendations agreed at the conference can have significant impacts on the world of work.

The CBI took your business voice to the centre of this conversation, sharing in your views as a UK employer.

What's the outcome of the conference?

The CBI successfully argued for the adoption of a resolution – instead of a legally-binding treaty, giving UK employers the flexibility to continue operating within the existing apprenticeship framework.

This sets out a new approach to global guidelines on apprenticeships that keep in mind the different national contexts of apprenticeships, but more importantly, allowing the government to continue to take a UK-specific approach to apprenticeships, and opening the doors for more business-led apprenticeships in the UK for the long run.  

The Conference recognised that apprenticeships are a great labour market tool to promote not only youth employment, but also employment for workers of all ages who find themselves in need of retraining or upskilling due to changes in the labour market or job requirements.

The CBI will once again represent UK employers in the final discussion in June 2023, ensuring the views of businesses shape the final text.

Read the proposed resolution and conclusions submitted to the conference for adoption.

For more information get in touch with Poppy.