In Europe, the number of people who drop out of vocational training has been at a constantly high and unacceptable level for many years. This is true for countries with a dual vocational training set-up as well as for those with a more traditional educational system. A dropout carries serious risks for an individual’s career as well as economic risks for the training company. In small and medium-sized companies in particular, dropout not only causes economic damage but also reduces their willingness to train apprentices in the future. PraeLAB had four focal points. First was the promotion of systematic cooperation and networking amongst all who are involved in vocational training: trainers, teachers, counsellors and case managers. The second aim was the provision of valid and approved tools for identification of apprentices with high dropout risk. The instrument developed in Switzerland on the diagnosis of and on the feedback of dropout risk was modified.In addition to this innovative methods of holistic counselling of adolescents with high dropout risk with particular attention paid to young people with a migration background as well as on gender aspects was implimented. And at last a training concept for the qualification of staff in the field of vocational training and counselling was developed and accredited.