They equip workers with the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed in a changing work environment, tackle skills shortages and mismatches, and foster lifelong learning. They also help employers raise the level of workforce skills according to company needs, provide young people with the right qualifications - facilitating their access to labour markets and increasing labour market mobility - and support economic growth, competitiveness and productivity. These link the classroom and workplace, and tap the knowledge of employers and workers on the kind of training needed and ways to deliver it. Quality apprenticeships develop skills, innovation and entrepreneurship, and enable employers to train workers along enterprise requirements. This helps to meet SME needs and address structural problems of low productivity and lack of productive diversification. Who shares the financial burden, and how can a fair distribution of costs among the relevant stakeholders be determined?