Instructions for the implementation of the Labor Reform on apprenticeship contracts

At a glance

• Apprenticeship contracts in effect as of June 25, 2025, are partially governed by Law 2466 of 2025 (the new Labour Reform Law) (non-retroactively), while contracts signed from that date onward are fully governed by the new Labour Reform Law.
• The Ministry of Labor oversees implementation, inspection, and regulation of apprenticeship contracts.
• Apprentices receive limited support during the teaching stage and full employment benefits during the practical or dual training stage.
• Apprentice contracts can last up to three years, and apprentices have rights to unionize, but support payments are excluded from collective bargaining.
• Contracts must be reported to SENA -the national training service (SENA)- and contributions to the social security system must be made through an online platform for managing and paying contributions to the country's social security and parafiscal systems (PILA) starting August 1, 2025, with specific classifications depending on the training stage.
• Apprentices may also be included in disability quotas and workplace committees.

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This article has been reproduced with the permission of Diana Zuleta Martínez at Martinez, our partnered firm in Colombia.

The Colombian Labor Reform reaffirms the employment nature of the apprenticeship contract.

Apprenticeship contracts that were in force as of June 25, 2025, are now governed by the New Labor Reform Law (Law 2466 of 2025), but only for events occurring from that date onward (the law is not retroactive).

Apprenticeship contracts signed on or after June 25, 2025, are fully governed by the Labor Reform Law.

Legal nature and payments

During the teaching stage, the apprentice is only entitled to a monthly support payment and to health and occupational risk coverage, which must be paid by the company.

In the practical stage or during dual training, the apprentice is entitled to full employment benefits, including financial aid, social security, parafiscal contributions, and other rights associated with an employment contract.

Supplementary work during the practical or dual training stage is permitted but must remain exceptional.

Duration and extension

The apprenticeship contract may be signed for a fixed term not exceeding three years. Extensions are valid if the total duration does not surpass this limit.

Disciplinary Regime

Given the special nature of the apprenticeship contract, legal subordination applies only to learning activities. Disciplinary measures must support the apprentice’s training and help maintain order and discipline within the company. Additionally, since the apprentice is linked to a training institution, disciplinary procedures must follow the institution’s specific guidelines.

Authorization for adolescent work practices

Students under 15 years of age cannot enter into apprenticeship contracts. Adolescents aged 15 to 17 must obtain prior authorization from the Ministry of Labor.

Collective Labour Law

Apprentices have the right to union association (both positive and negative), collective bargaining, and strike. However, the monthly support payment cannot be regulated through collective agreements, contracts, or arbitration awards.

Learning contract reporting

Mandatory apprenticeship contracts must continue to be reported to via the SGVA system.

Official workers scheme

Law 2466 of 2025 does not create or grant access to the category of official worker.

Disability Quota, COPASST, and Labour Coexistence Committee

Apprentices in the practical stage are considered for inclusion in areas such as the employment quota for persons with disabilities, participation in COPASST (Joint Committee for Occupational Safety and Health), the Labour Coexistence Committee, and other provisions outlined in the Substantive Labour Code.

Distribution of competences

The Ministry of Labor is responsible for matters related to the apprenticeship contract, including its execution, inspection, oversight, and control.

Payment of contributions to the comprehensive social security system

Until the Ministry of Health issues regulations for PILA, the following applies:

• Teaching stage: Starting August 1, 2025, contributions must be reported in PILA under:

• Contributor type: 1 – Employer.
• Contributor subtype: 19 - Apprentice in the productive stage.
• Payroll type: E – Employees.
• Applicable for health contributions from August 2025 onward, and for other subsystems from July 2025 onward.

• Productive stage or dual training: Starting August 1, 2025, contributions must be reported in PILA under:

• Contributor type: 1 – Employer.
• Contributor subtype: 1 – Dependent.
• Payroll type: E – Employees.
• Applicable for health contributions from August 2025 onward, and for other subsystems from July 2025 onward.