The United Kingdom rejoining the Erasmus+ programme represents a positive and practical step in the reset of EU-UK relations, delivering tangible benefits for workers, young people and apprentices on both sides.
UK participation in Erasmus+ benefits workers by expanding access to education, training and mobility opportunities, including for vocational education and training (VET) learners and apprentices.
Esther Lynch, ETUC General Secretary, said:
“The UK’s return to Erasmus+ is good news for workers, students and apprentices in the EU and the UK. It supports skills development, quality training and fair mobility opportunities, which are essential for strong labour markets and shared prosperity.
“This plays to our strengths: there is a wealth of know-how across neighbouring countries. New opportunities to skill up and learning from fellow workers will help deliver a stronger workforce.”
Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, said:
“This is another step forward to repairing the damage of the Tories’ botched Brexit deal, which set back workers on both sides of the Channel.
“The TUC and European unions have long been calling for easier, fairer pathways for people to live, work, and study in each other’s territories – with rights and standards safeguarded. This agreement helps realise that call.
“The UK rejoining Erasmus+ will provide UK workers, apprentices, school pupils and adult learners with valuable opportunities including educational school trips, vocational training and traineeships in other countries – opportunities which have been badly missed over the past few years.
“This is good for the workers who get to benefit and good for our economy too.”
