OECD Conference Centre, Paris, 9 April 2014 In the context of high rates of youth unemployment and underemployment, giving youth a better start in the labour market is a key priority for countries. Consequently, at the G20 Ministerial Meeting in May 2012 in Guadalajara, it was agreed that a comprehensive strategy is needed to boost youth employment, and that quality apprenticeships, in particular, have an important role to play in promoting a smooth transition from school to productive employment. Well-designed apprenticeship systems can promote skills acquisition, facilitate the transition from school to work, improve employment opportunities and reduce school drop-out rates. This note sets out the key issues regarding apprenticeships which were presented as a background for the discussions that took place at the conference on Quality Apprenticeships held in Paris in 2014.