Call for Papers—Apprenticeships: Future global trends
The International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP) invites contributions to its ninth international research conference. The 9th International Network for Apprenticeship Research Conference (INAP) will be held on May 8-9, 2025, at the University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, England. This will be the first full conference since 2019. An online forum was held in 2021.
The conference will address several topics on apprenticeship, including:
Topic 1. Making apprenticeships more attractive to potential learners and to employers
Topic 2. Apprenticeships and the future: the economy
Topic 3. Apprenticeships and the future: society
Topic 4. Apprenticeship curriculum, standards and delivery
Topic 5. Governance, including stakeholders' roles and responsibilities
Topic 6. Teaching and teachers in VET
Keynote speakers will include:
- Ashwani Aggarwal, International Labour Organization Global Lead for Skill and Lifelong Learning Policy.
- Leesa Wheelahan, Professor Emerita, University of Toronto.
- Professors Philipp Gonon (Zurich), Oscar Valiente (Glasgow) and Matthias Pilz (Köln)—Adiscussion panel on 'Transfer of Dual VET'.
General guidelines for presenters
The conference organizers welcome contributions based on original research that facilitate knowledge transfer to regional, national and international policy-makers, TVET actors and researchers. Papers will be selected for presentation on the basis of the recommendation of an academic review panel. Contributors are asked to submit a two-page abstract for their paper, that includes:
- The conference topic to which the paper most closely relates, or specify ‘open topic’;
- The research question,a brief overview of the research methodology, and a brief summary ofthe findings (around 500 words)
- Aprovisional table of contents
- Abrief bibliography of four to five references.
The paper proposal should clearly describe the issues addressed in the paper and their relationship to the conference topics. Proposals should be sent to the organizers at inap2025@federation.edu.au by 14th January, 2025. After the paper is approved for presentation, authors will be asked to submit a short paper of 2,000 words for publication in the VTE special issue.
The international conference committee will serve as the special issue editors:
Prof. Thomas Deissinger, (Universität Konstanz);
Prof. Philipp Gonon (University of Zurich);
Dr. Bonnie Watt (University of Alberta);
Prof. Erica Smith (Federation University Australia, INAP Co-Chair);
Prof. Zhiqun Zhao (Beijing Normal University, INAP Chair);
Lorry Edwards (University of Hertfordshire);
Dr. Phil Power-Mason (University of Hertfordshire).
If you need an earlier decision, for example to request funding to attend, or leave from work, please write to the inap2025 email address to discuss a suitable earlier date for submission.
For guidance, previous INAP conference programsandpapers can be seen at
https://www.voced.edu.au/special-collections-key-conferences
Each topic could be approached in a variety of ways. Illustrative examples are shown below.
Topic 1. Making apprenticeships more attractive to potential learners and to employers
How do apprenticeship systems in various countries attract employers to offer apprenticeships? How are potential apprentices, both young and mature, attracted to apprenticeships? What ideas are shared across the globe? How can apprentice completion rates be improved?
Topic 2. Apprenticeships and the future: the economy
What will be the effects of changes in industry and other sectors of the economy, wrought by Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence? What are the potential effects of sustainability, green energy and the changes in the structure of economies?
Topic 3. Apprenticeships and the future: society
How do apprenticeship systems engage people from differing groups and support their success? How do apprenticeships interact with migration and other movements of people around the globe?
Topic 4. Apprenticeship curriculum, standards and delivery
How are apprenticeship standards and curriculum developed in different countries? Who are the stakeholders involved in these processes, and how effective are they? What are the trends in partnerships between employers and vocational schools/colleges? How do apprenticeship credentials interface with university credentials? What is the role of higher apprenticeships and other new forms of apprenticeships?
Topic 5: Governance, including stakeholders' roles and responsibilities
What are the varying roles of governments, vocational schools and colleges, employers, industry bodies, trade unions and intermediary organizations across the globe? How have apprentice systems evolved over history?
Topic 6: Teaching and teachers in VET
What strategies for formal and informal learning, both on and off the job, are effective in apprenticeships? What is the role of technology assisted learning, including online learning and A.I.? What characterises good VET teachers, how do they engage diverse learners, and what are the qualification and professional development regimes for teachers? What provisions and requirements are there for workplace trainers of apprentices?
Conference location, organization and fees
INAP 2025 will take place in Hatfield, England at the Fielder Centre at the University of Hertfordshire. Hatfield is less than half an hour by train from London. There are a number of hotels in Hatfield. Registration details will be provided by early 2025; the registration fee for the conference will be kept aslow as possible, with anearly-bird rate available. There will an optional social event on the evening of Thursday May 8th.
