Youth unemployment in Halle and Saxony-Anhalt - Facts and Figures - 2nd Meeting „Design Your Future“ 27. -30.11.2011 Derry – Northern Ireland

Unemployment in Halle - September 2011. ( Unemployment in Halle - September 2011* (* Press release of the Agency for Employment Halle - No. 61 2011) still continuing reduction of unemployment, loss of momentum unemployment rate declines to 10.6%, which is below the state average of Saxony-Anhalt fewer young people affected by unemployment labour demand stable at a high level 21,055 unemployed persons - 11,298 men and 9,757 women – 8% less than in September 2010 unemployed young people aged 15 - 25: 2,181 - 3.1% less than in 9/2010 unemployment rate of young people aged 15 to 25: 10.4% (+ 0.3%) 748 in the jurisdiction of SGB III (Social Code III) 1433 in the jurisdiction of SGB II (Social Code II)

Conclusions for unemployed young people aged 15 – 25 (Social Code II) The percentage of unemployed persons declined by 8%, among young people by only 3% (last year) The unemployment rate for young people remains practically constant, it is at over 10%, and has only slightly decreased in recent years compared to the decrease in the overall unemployment rate (over 10%): The problem here is especially the proportion of young people being "long-term unemployed", not having a school degree, not having training, living in communities of members of a household in need of benefit, are single parents, and others. 8% long-term unemployed (more than 1 - 3 years) 23% without a school degree 63% without a training degree (approximately 40% in Saxony-Anhalt) 8,2% single parents many live in communities of members of a household in need of benefit (ie parents are long-term unemployed) some live in a "young community of members of a household in need of benefit" (young family with or without children) In the jurisdiction of SGB II (Social Code II), 77 young people under 25 have a migration background (5.4%)

What are the reasons that, despite the improved supply of training places, despite steadily increasing job offers, the youth unemployment rate remains practically the same or has only slightly changed, while it has improved considerably in general? The causes are complex, but can be narrowd down to the following periods in the development of young people: Preschool and school phase ------ the problem of dropouts Problems during transition from school to vocational training (so-called first threshold). Problems during training: Keyword dropout rate - training dropouts Problems during transition from training to employment (so-called second threshold)

These facts from Saxony - Anhalt ------ also valid for Halle The risk of poverty in Saxony-Anhalt is the nation's highest In Saxony-Anhalt, the number of employable needy people under 25 is Germany's highest after Berlin (Saxony-Anhalt 17.3%, Berlin 20.8%, Bavaria 3.8%) Saxony-Anhalt has a very high number of school and training dropouts: The number of school leavers without degree is rising in Saxony-Anhalt: from 10.7% (2009) to 12.3% (2010) --- 1844 in the 2009/10 school year Training dropouts: Of the 13,071 apprenticeships that were established in 2010, 4,763 have been terminated --- that number has been at about 40% for years Children and youth poverty is increasing (nationwide trend) Poverty and school failure are directly interrelated Poverty is a psychosocial risk factor that leads to personal, family difficulties and inhibits the strengthening of people's personalities and competences. Consequences are: increased drug use, escapism, self-injurious behaviour etc., as "cries for help" The number of "old applicants" for training positions remains constant although more training postions are offered  cause, lack of "training maturity"  A large part of unemployed young people is not “fit for the labour market“ because of the above-mentioned facts. This is why youth unemployment remains practically constant despite the improvement of the general labour market situation. These young people are off the labour market and can therefore not use the labour market's offers

Possible target groups - project approaches The described situation could result in the following target group of the project for Halle: Approach 1: School dropouts, training dropouts, old applicants  attainment of training maturity  support of the training and of the transition into employment. Approach 2: Under consideration / inclusion of parents and others: Young people at risk of dropping out of school  attainment of a school degree and training maturity  support of the training and of the transition into employment Aim: Achieving labour market fitness for young people as a prerequisite for starting an employment and thereby avoiding social exclusion

These approaches are also confirmed by the following findings Risk factors for the entry into professional life family problems 45.5% lack of formal education 42.2% migration background 26.7% lack of personal competences 44.4% lack of social competences 26.7% General success factors for the entry into professional life family support 57.8% good formal education 42.2% school support 18% personal competences 40% social competences 26.7% motivation 33% career guidance and information 13%