Abstract
The paper explores the varieties of apprenticeship as currently offered in developed and developing economies and related issues of governance and regulation. Key issues for modern apprenticeship – governance, financing, assessment and certification - are identified.The way in which apprenticeship can promote innovation and safe working conditions in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is examined. The paper then analyses the difficulties and challenges faced by SMEs in integrating formal apprenticeship into their organizations. Current strategies for enabling SMEs in developed economies to increase their participation in apprenticeship are reviewed and the relevance of these and of other strategiesfor informal apprenticeship in SMEs in developing economies is examined.