1. European social policy and social dialogue
ETUC Youth project 2009
More and better jobs for young people in Europe
Madrid, August 2010
Bianca Busuioc
European Commission, DG EMPL – unit « Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations »
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

2. A short perspective on the situation of young people in Europe
5.6 million youth unemployed in 2009
One out of four unemployed is under 25 years
Nearly 80 % of young people between 20 and 24 in Europe have completed upper secondary education. Nonetheless, a quarter of 15-year olds are low achievers in reading literacy10 and 6 million young people leave school without any qualifications.
difficult to anticipate how the situation will develop for young people in the next four-five years
Every year a certain number enter the labour market, with limited recruitment chances…
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

3. 15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

4. A short perspective on the situation of young people in Europe
Europeans are living longer, having children later and there are fewer young people. The age group is projected to represent 15.3 % of Europe's population in 2050, whereas it is currently 19.3%3.
Globalisation can bring growth and jobs, but it can also bring about specific challenges for vulnerable workers such as youth, as demonstrated by the crisis.
Key competences flexible enough to develop appropriate skills throughout one's life are vital, and early school leaving is still a key issue.
(2009 Communication « A EU strategy for youth »)
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

5. A short perspective on the situation of young people in Europe
Conclusion: any action impacting on the transition to the labour market must be designed to fit the needs of young adults.
Unemployment is not a new phenomenon
however, a new feature: the increase was more steep for young men
than women
employment rates for this and next year predict the red line to remain in the order of 10%.
In the pre-crisis decade the EU managed to reduce by nearly 40 % the share of long-term unemployed among young people under 25.
Differences between Member States have increased enormously with the crisis and different factors may explain youth unemployment
Examples:
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

6. A short perspective on the situation of young people in Europe
Germany has a stable rate of 10% youth unemployment because the
Country has institutions that cushion the effects of the crisis (strong VET
basis) and invests in a "transition system" for young people falling out of
the mainstream pathways.
Spain is one of the countries with high protection of the core workforce, but with strong segmentation of the labour market to the disadvantage of youth.
Finland is PISA champion, but there seem to be problems in the transitions to the labour market.
France is a country with strong active labour market policies, but the sustainability of outcomes is problematic.
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

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Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

8. European common challenges
Despite different starting points: there are a number of common
challenges in all EU member states and there must be real commitment
to address them.
Ensure education and appropriate skills for young people
Improve the first entry into the labour market
Improve transitions
Increase the employment rate in the age group 20 to 30
The Commission’s priorities are set to match these challenges...
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

9. European Commission priorities
Preparation for the labour market through education and training should equip young people with key competences and respond to labour market needs
Transition to the labour market requires getting a first (full time) job after finishing education and training.
Stabilisation of labour market attachment needs to be achieved through a balanced mix of flexibility and security for recent entrants on the labour market.
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

10. 15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

11. EU policy framework for youth
EU Youth Strategy
Adopted in April 2009, this strategy acknowledges that young people are
one of the most vulnerable groups in society, especially in the current
economic and financial crisis. The aim is to consolidate the EU policy
orientations for youth employment responding to the challenges outlined
above and seek to strengthen Member States commitment to action
EU2020 strategy
Includes a specific flagship initiative targeted at youth
Youth on the move Communication
Includes specific youth employment priorities
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

12. EU Youth Strategy
Following on previous youth strategy, the current one asks for greater collaboration between youth policies and other policy areas such as education, employment, inclusion and health
It includes three overarching and interconnected goals closely linked to those of the Renewed Social Agenda:
– Creating more Opportunities for Youth in education and employment
– Improving Access and full participation of all young people in society
– Fostering mutual Solidarity between society and young people
Under each goal, two to three 'fields of action' are proposed with objectives for the first three years, , each including a list of possible specific actions which can be undertaken by Member States and/or the Commission.
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

13. EU 2020 Strategy Three priorities are at the heart of Europe 2020:
– Smart growth – developing an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
– Sustainable growth – promoting a more resource efficient, greener and more competitive economy.
– Inclusive growth – fostering a high-employment economy delivering economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Among the flagship initiatives meant to implement the first priority, one is
« Youth on the move », aimed (among others) at improving the
employment situation of young people.
The Commission is currently preparing a Communication expected to be adopted
this autumn…
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

14. Communication Youth on the move
Young people's transition periods from education to employment have
become significantly longer and complex.
Unemployment among young people is on average at least twice as high as for the overall workforce
The current economic crisis puts further pressure on the labour market
opportunities for the young. They frequently work in low-quality,temporary
jobs and are poorly paid.
Youth unemployment is often a result of lack of skills or
skills mismatch.
Guidance and counselling systems on qualification pathways and future job opportunities are needed.
The Commission's upcoming proposal is a contribution to Europe 2020, aiming to
develop, over the next ten years, an economy that is based on knowledge and
innovation. Part of the Commission’s future Communication on youth will
propose actions more specifically targeted to youth employment, to answer the
above mentioned challenges. The Communication underlines more robust policy
coordination and involvement of social partners.
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

15. Communication Youth on the move – 7 priorities
Help to get a first job
Promote on-the-job learning
Moving upwards after the first job
Target a job for youth at risk
Provide adequate social safety nets for young people
Support young entrepreneurs
Attract young talent into jobs
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

16. Youth employment – a financial support at EU level
The European Social Fund is the main EU financial instrument to support actions targeted to youth employment in Member States:
30% of all beneficiaries directly supported by the Fund are years old.
60% of the entire ESF budget is spent on education and training, including for young people
approximately 2.5 million young people per year benefit from ESF support (examples: education/study grants, ESF-supported jobs or apprenticeship places, incentives for self-employment, job guidance and counselling, training or mentoring, pedagogical/social support).
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

17. Commission complementary actions
Apart from supporting youth employment policy implementation in
Member States, financial support (European Social Fund), cooperation
with/among MS through exchange of good practice ("mutual learning")
And dialogue with Social Partners, the Commission envisages a
number of complementary actions in the future:
Launch of the "Your first EURES job" scheme (2011)
Link the new microcredit facility with youth entrepreneurship (together
with DG ENTR)
Launch a Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative promoting more
recruitment and better quality in youth employment (together with DG
ENTR)
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1

18. More information about EU Youth policy:
15-Jan-19
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit F1