Youth Unemployment El Hassan Aouraghe 8/04/2013

Content presentation Workgroup Youth Unemployment Goals Policy Recommendations Criteria

A. Workgroup Youth Unemployment

B. Goals Preparatory working groups with 2 main goals: Policy recommendations  public debate Useful projects + criteria

C. Policy recommendations

Early school leaving Important cause of youth unemployment Demand for action

Illiterate Large group illiterate Basic competences 1/7th of population Government should address this more

Active Labor market policies Stimulating of activating labor market policies Eg incentives, support, training programs,… Can reduce the unfavorable labor market situation of low-skilled

Unlimited temporary contracts? Take-off <-> keep young people in unemployment Quality jobs? When working  good guidance

RAC: Recognized Acquired Competences Too much focus on diplomas RAC! Involve employers at activating youngsters

Integrated approach Multiple problems Closer collaboration between welfare and work Faster intervene Sanctions are counterproductive Focus on local employment policy Differentiated approach

Public sector More jobs for (low skilled) youngsters? Less staff & computerize Highly skilled profiles  efficient & accurate services Good example (eg focus on RAC instead of diploma) Private sector

Private sector Stimulate to create more jobs Stimulate otherwise, eg: favorable taxes in case of labor-intensive sectors

Social economy The solution? Stimulate social innovation

Participation ladder Distinguish ‘can not’ & ‘don’t want to’ work Scaling on participation ladder Address problems before activating

Empowerment Limited group: not activated Focus on empowerment Offer positive experiences to motivate

NEET-group NEET: Not in Employment, Education or Training Detect , track & monitor this group: who is this? Not so hard: linking databases & making agreements

Discrimination Gap between young people & employers Building bridge Sensitize employers How to handle and redirect prejudices

Discrimination More creative projects & initiatives React early To reach other employers Create positive contact Trade unions React early People with lack of useful networks (student jobs)

Policies Evaluate the existing policies… …before starting new ones

D. Criteria NEET-group (Not in employment, education ortraining) + attention for the gender dimension Focus on precare and aftercare Collaboration with other actors/sectors Evaluation

Questions? El Hassan Aouraghe Projectleader Labor Market Policy Work & Economy, City of Antwerp Tel: +32 3 338 68 61 | Mobile: +32 492 74 84 69  Elhassan.aouraghe@stad.antwerpen.be

Thank you for your attention!