On-the-job apprenticeship is a solution increasingly used by employers for workforce training, offering both benefits for companies and opportunities for people who want to learn a trade. In Romania, this type of vocational training is regulated by a clear legal framework designed to ensure both the protection of apprentices and the efficiency of the learning process. Law no. 279/2005 on apprenticeship at the workplace, updated by various normative acts, lays down the conditions under which such a contract can be carried out, the rights and obligations of the parties, as well as the facilities granted to employers. For companies, hiring apprentices is a way to train qualified staff according to their own needs, while also benefiting from financial support from the state. On the other hand, people without qualifications or with limited professional experience can acquire the necessary skills to enter the labor market under more advantageous conditions.
Apprenticeships thus contribute both to reducing unemployment and improving the quality of the workforce.
Legal framework of apprenticeship in Romania
The apprenticeship contract is mainly regulated by Law no. 279/2005 and by the Labor Code, which define the conditions under which such an agreement can be concluded. According to these regulations, the apprenticeship is carried out on the basis of an apprenticeship contract, which is a fixed-term employment contract concluded between the employer and the apprentice. To be accepted as an apprentice, a person must fulfill the following conditions: · be at least 16 years of age (or 15 years of age with the consent of their parents or legal representatives);· not hold a qualification in the occupation for which the apprenticeship contract is concluded;· must be medically fit for the activity.
The duration of the apprenticeship contract can vary between 6 months and 3 years, depending on the complexity of the trade for which the apprenticeship is being prepared. During this period, the apprentice receives both a salary and theoretical and practical training under the guidance of a coordinator appointed by the employer. An important aspect of this type of contract is the financial support given to employers. The Romanian state offers subsidies to employers who sign apprenticeship contracts, the amount of which is set by government decision. For example, according to current legislation, employers can receive 2,250 lei per month for each apprentice hired, for the entire duration of the contract. This support is intended to stimulate companies’ involvement in vocational training and to facilitate access to the labor market for young people or other unqualified people.
Benefits and challenges of workplace apprenticeships For employers, apprenticeships are an efficient way of recruiting and training staff, giving them the opportunity to mold the skills of future employees to their own requirements. Through this method, companies can reduce the costs associated with recruitment and ensure a smoother transition from training to actual employment. Moreover, the financial benefits provided by the state are an additional incentive to engage in the process. For apprentices, the advantages include access to a recognized qualification, gaining practical experience and easier integration into the labour market. In addition, they benefit from all the rights of employees, including holiday leave, health insurance and pension contributions. However, there are also challenges in implementing apprenticeship programs. One of the major obstacles is the low interest of employers, caused either by lack of information or by the bureaucratic complexity of accessing subsidies. Also, in some areas, there are difficulties in finding qualified mentors to coordinate apprentices. In order to improve the efficiency of this system, measures such as simplifying the procedures for granting subsidies, increasing the amounts granted to employers or more actively promoting the benefits of apprenticeship for both companies and future employees would be necessary. In conclusion, on-the-job apprenticeship is a viable solution for workforce training, having a positive impact on employment and professional qualification. With a clear legal framework and financial support from the state, this system can become an effective tool for skills development and reducing skills shortages in various industries. Both employers and those seeking a qualification should consider the opportunities offered by this type of contract, and professional advice in the field of labor law can be an essential factor for the correct and efficient implementation of apprenticeship.