Meet the EAfA Champions!

Champions consist of a network of highly engaged EAfA Members, identified by their willingness to encourage membership, social media activity and best practices in promoting apprenticeships. In addition to being featured on the EAfA website, Champions also have the opportunity to present their organisations at work at our annual High-Level event (HLE). 

During the latest HLE in June, the four Champions explained how EAfA has expanded the networking opportunities of their organisations, increased their visibility as apprenticeship providers, and fostered collaborations with stakeholders and industry partners, helping them to secure quality apprenticeships for young people. 

Read on to find out more about the pledges the Champions have made to improve European apprenticeship programmes. 

Immacolata Petio, Communications Manager at ITS Turismo Puglia, Italy (EAfA Member since 2024). 

Committed to upskilling young people to help them find jobs, ITS Turismo Puglia’s Academies system offers post-diploma training in the tourism and events sector. ITS’ academies were created to meet the growing demand for advanced technical skills and innovative technologies from tourism businesses. 

ITS Turismo Puglia has pledged to offer students specialised apprenticeships in the tourism industry developed in close collaboration with companies, aiming to give them a competitive advantage in the job market. Working with schools, colleges and community organisations in Italy, ITS apprenticeships train and support students, encouraging them to consider the tourism industry as a viable career option. 

Learn more about ITS Turismo Puglia’s pledge. 

Natalija Klepej Gržanič, Researcher at the Association of Slovenian Higher Vocational Colleges (VSS), Slovenia (EAfA Member since 2020). 

VSS understands that study programmes often do not reflect the needs of the labour market, meaning students can struggle to find work after graduating. VSS is focused on addressing this challenge by giving students direct contact with employers during their studies so they can gain relevant work experience leading to employment, advancing the economies and opportunities in their local communities and regions. 

The Association of Slovenian Higher Vocational Colleges has pledged to offer students the opportunity to study in more than 30 higher education programmes. The 49 college institutions involved provide education courses at EQF level 5 and offer applied research and professional studies. VSS also aims to develop local communities and regions by reaching locations across Slovenia, each providing theoretical training and in-company placements with qualified mentors. 

Learn more about the VSS’s pledge. 

Susi Galasso, Head of Education & People Development, Leonardo, Italy (EAfA Member since 2024). 

Leonardo collaborates with schools and universities to promote scientific citizenship and offer students and graduates the opportunity to develop key skills in aerospace engineering relevant to defence design and manufacturing. 

Leonardo is an industrial group for aerospace, defence and security and pledges to offer apprenticeship programmes covering hardware and software engineering, business and cyber security. Leonardo has partnered with seven Higher Education Institutes in Italy, offering around 400 apprenticeships alongside students’ academic studies. The company has also collaborated with the Metropolitan City of Rome to develop training programmes for VET students in IT, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.. Leonardo’s apprenticeships enhance students’ STEM knowledge and improve their digital and cyber skills, allowing them to qualify with the title of higher technician. 

Learn more about Leonardo’s pledge. 

Bart Denys, VET Teacher, Hotelschool Ter Duinen, Belgium (EAfA Member since October 2021). 

Hotelschool Ter Duinen recognised that in recent years students have become interested in hotel hospitality at a very young age. Therefore, they offer training to young people in cheffing, catering, service, management and more through educational courses that combine theory with practice. 

Hotelschool Ter Duinen has pledged to offer students real-world experience through apprenticeships and vocational training in the hospitality sector, ultimately aiming to prepare them for careers in hotels and restaurants in Belgium and beyond. The vocational school offers many different training opportunities, from culinary training for students in primary education to hospitality management for older students who want to establish themselves as an independent hotel manager. It also aims to increase the quality of apprenticeships by keeping its programmes up to date and in line with new trends in the catering and hospitality sector.  

Learn more about Hotelschool Ter Duinen’s pledge. 

Do you want to become an EAfA Champion? 

If you are an EAfA Member and would like to become a Champion, you can apply by contacting EAfAmembersecorys [dot] com (EAfAmembers[at]ecorys[dot]com). Champions are expected to promote the Alliance and its activities, share best practices and insights on apprenticeships, and encourage other organisations to join EAfA. As a Champion, you will benefit from increased visibility, networking opportunities, and recognition for your work.