A Systematic Review of Apprenticeship Interventions Implemented to Enhance Youth Achievement of Socioeconomic Outcomes

Background and purpose. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), interest in apprenticeship as a capacity-building tool for addressing youth unemployment and engendering economic development has been matched with studies evaluating the effects of available programs. While numerous studies have reported positive impacts of apprenticeship programs, there is limited synthesis of the available evidence. A comprehensive synthesis of the relevant research would clarify the effect of apprenticeship on youth and the types of apprenticeship programs associated with better outcomes. This systematic review synthesizes existing evidence on the impact of apprenticeship on young people and the moderating factors.

Methods. Six databases were systematically searched based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: (1) empirical studies on apprenticeship programs targeted at youth; (2) peer-reviewed studies; (3) reports; (4) studies published in English; and (5) reported well-being and employment outcomes. Studies were excluded if they (1) were not published in English, (2) were systematic reviews or meta-analyses, or (3) reported non-employment or well-being outcomes. After the title, abstract, and full-text screening, 16 out of 1,010 studies were obtained for data extraction. Extracted data were then thematized based on their similarities and differences and presented.

Results. A total of 15 studies were reviewed, with study participants coming from Botswana (n=1), Uganda (n=4), Rwanda (n=1), Nigeria (n=4), South Africa (n=3), Tanzania (n=2) and Kenya (n=1). The ages of the participants in the apprenticeship programs were between 15 – 45 years; however, most of the studies (13/15) included participants 35 years or younger. Findings show that educational components in apprenticeship programs are more apparent in programs that include youth between 15 and 20 years. The apprenticeship programs lasted from 3 months to 3 years, with programs that heavily included technical/vocational skills development spanning six months or more. The review highlights the skewed focus of existing studies on the economic effects of apprenticeship schemes. Most studies (10/16) reported that apprenticeship programs in SSA have contributed to young people’s employment opportunities due to the technical/vocational skills acquired. Few studies (3/16) reported the social effects of apprenticeship programs, including increased social support, reduced street begging and delinquency, and improved health. Additionally, while some interventions (6/16) focused on asset-building strategies, the remaining (10/16) focused on a combination of financial capability and asset building strategies. Based on a methodological quality rating scale, 11 studies scored above the median methodological rigor score (16), with most studies scoring 19.

Conclusion and implications. Both age and the duration of apprenticeships were found to influence skills acquisition. With most studies focusing on employment outcomes, there is a need for more concerted social impact assessments of apprenticeship programs. Additionally, considering that apprenticeship programs for teens have contributed to a reduction in street begging and delinquency in countries like Nigeria, other countries should explore similar schemes to address such social issues, which are rife in many SSA countries. Furthermore, the current review has demonstrated that engaging teens in apprenticeship can offer them a track to productive life and contribute to community development.