Download Youth unemployment across Europe

Youth unemployment
across Europe:
the impact of the
recession and
potential solutions
Christiane Westphal
Policy co-ordinator Youth
employment
European Commission
DG Employment, Social
Affairs, Inclusion
Youth unemployment (15-24) in 2011
(Source: Eurostat)
Unemployment (25-29) in 2011
(Source: Eurostat)
Youth unemployment (15-24) ratio 2011
(Source: Eurostat)
Long-term youth unemployment (15-24)
2007/2011 (Source: Eurostat)
Key findings from transition studies
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•
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Diversity in transition patterns across EU
Low skilled youth most at risk of unemployment
Low skills are risk in the longer term for exclusion
Transitions faster in countries with
apprenticeships systems (OECD 2009, EC 2012)
• Transitions difficult in countries with segmented
labour markets (OECD 2009, EC 2010)
• Traineeships a new labour market entry tool (EC
2012)
Main conclusions to draw…
• For setting policy priorities:
• Education and Training
• Tools for labour market transition
• Support for all youth
• For improving delivery of policies:
• EU economic governance
• EU Structural Funds
• EU direct action
Policy priorities: EUROPE 2020 Europe’s growth strategy
• Youth important target group in the EUROPE 2020 strategy
for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth - flagship initiative
"Youth on the Move"
• "Youth Opportunities Initiative": four key areas for action:
education – skills – work experience – first job
• Broad EU consensus with strong support from Member
States (European Council!) and European Parliament
Europe 2020 - "European Semester"
• Annual cycle of EU economic governance
• Core instrument "country specific recommendations" (CSR)
UK 2012:
6 CSRs, among them one on youth:
"Continue to improve the employability of young people, in particular those
not in education, employment or training, including by using the Youth
Contract. Ensure that apprenticeship schemes are taken up by more young
people, have a sufficient focus on advanced and higher-level skills, and
involve more small and medium-sized businesses.Take measures to reduce
the high proportion of young people aged 18-24 with very poor basic skills."
Stepping up delivery with EU support
• Linking EU structural funds better to policy
priorities
• "Action teams" pilot initiative under the Youth
Opportunities Initiative
• Preparation of the next multiannual financial
framework 2014-2020
• EU programmes and specific initiatives for young
people
The way ahead
Commission preparing EU policy frameworks for
promoting transitions through:
 Youth Guarantees: ensuring that all young people
receive a good quality offer of employment, continued
education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four
months of leaving school or becoming unemployed
 Quality of traineeships: ensuring that traineeships are
properly defined; potential elements include learning
content, duration, social security, compensation
Thank you for your attention!
Europe 2020 – Europe's growth strategy:
http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020
Youth Opportunities Initiative:
http://ec.europa.eu/social/yoi
Studies on apprenticeships and traineeships:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?refe
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