EU Talent is a project run by CSR Europe and its national partners, engaging Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in apprenticeships.

SMEs provide around two-thirds of private sector employment in Europe and consequently have a big potential for combatting youth unemployment through providing training and employment opportunities, such as apprenticeships. However, SMEs often lack information, resources and/or experience in providing such training placements.   To address this issue, the CSR Europe and its national partners are running the EU Talent – Business in Europe Hosting Apprenticeships project as to engage SMEs across Europe in increasing the quantity and quality of their apprenticeships. In doing so, the project aims to reach the following targets:

1. 1. 50.000+ SMEs through an online communication campaign
   2. 1.200 SMEs through learning networks
   3. 100 SMEs through pilot programmes to improve the quality of their apprenticeships

The EU Talent project is a direct contribution to the European Pact for Youth, which aims to create a fair and equitable culture of partnership between business, education and youth in Europe, to prepare young people for quality jobs and responsible citizenship.

The EU Talent project contributes directly to CSR Europe’s pledge made under the European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA), aiming to increase the quality of apprenticeships in Europe. The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) is a unique platform bringing together various stakeholders with the common goal to strengthen the quality, supply and image of apprenticeships in Europe.