QUEEN Partners getting ready for Partners Meeting in Turku
QUEEN Partners getting ready for Partners Meeting in Turku
The third virtual coordination meeting of the QUEEN project took place on 13 April, bringing together partners from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Basque Country, Finland, Ireland, Italy and EARLALL as advisory partner. The session focused on reviewing progress and finalising preparations for the upcoming in‑person meeting in Turku, Finland, scheduled for 20–21 May 2026.
Moderated by ASEV (Lead Partner), in cooperation with Resolvo, the meeting opened with an overview of the project’s objectives and the shared ambition to strengthen quality apprenticeships across Europe. Partners presented updates from their regional consultations and shared initial findings on good practices.
Several approaches to enhancing apprenticeship quality through best practices were discussed, including dual vocational education models, company‑based mentorship programmes, continuing professional development for teachers and collaboration initiatives with employers to regain and upscale skills.
Partners also reflected on the challenges faced in their regions and exchanged insights on sustainable solutions to support long‑term improvements in apprenticeship systems.
The Tuscany Region presented the "Tuscany Regional Charter on Quality Apprenticeships", an initiative designed to ensure pedagogical coherence and clear learning objectives across apprenticeship pathways. The Charter promotes common standards, defined roles, shared accountability and stronger alignment between training providers, employers and social partners. While further progress is needed to strengthen workplace learning, the region has already observed an increase in participation in dual apprenticeships.
Partners also reviewed the project’s capacity‑building module, designed by EARLALL and developed to support interregional learning and ensure a shared understanding of quality apprenticeships across all participating regions. The first module, maps territorial progress in relation to the European Framework for Quality and Effective Apprenticeships (EFQEA). The module will be further expanded and finalised in semester 6 to strengthen the project’s common foundation.
Upcoming in‑person meeting in Turku
Turku University of Applied Sciences, the host of the upcoming meeting, provided an overview of the agenda and logistical arrangements. The two‑day programme will include strategic perspectives on the role of internships, an exchange of good practices, a study visit offering insights into apprenticeship training from industry experts and workshops presenting tools aiming to deepen interregional learning and support partners in refining their approaches to quality apprenticeships.
The meeting reaffirmed the importance of interregional collaboration to ensure that quality apprenticeships respond to evolving labour‑market needs by fostering inclusive pathways for both youth and adults. The upcoming visit to Finland will further reinforce cooperation among partners, strengthen peer learning and support quality apprenticeships by exchanging good practices and advancing the EFQEA criteria in practice, contributing to a resilient and competitive Europe.