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Answers from Europe

Youth unemployment• There are currently more than five million unemployed young

people in the European Union (EU), which means that one in five young people on the labour market cannot FIND A JOB.

• It is becoming harder for young people to find work in a context of rising unemployment. In some EU countries, the rate of youth unemployment may reach 40 %. This Communication notes that a total of 7.5 million people in the 15-24 age group are neither in employment nor in education or training.

• Although unemployment is high, many posts remain vacant. This situation points to labour market mismatches in the EU. Between now and 2020, there will be 73 million JOB OPENINGS due to retirement of workers, which should be filled by young people with the necessary skills.

Factors

• The European Commission has identified several factors in youth unemployment:

• early school leaving without qualifications;• lack of relevant skills and lack of work experience;• precarious employment followed by spells of

unemployment;• limited training opportunities;• insufficient/inappropriate active labour market

PROGRAMMES

INTRODUCTION

• The Directorate General for Education and Culture, or DG EAC, is the branch of the European Commission charged with Education, Training, Youth ,Sport , Languages , and Culture.

• In the field of education and training, DG EAC, is responsible for the development of evidence-based policy and the management of initiatives in support of education and training across Europe, most notably the Erasmus+ programme.

What are its responsabilities?

• What are its responsibilities?• The main responsibility of DG EAC in the field of education and training

policy is to support Member States in developing coherent policies for:• schools,• vocational education and training,• higher education,• adult education;• It is also responsible for developing policies and instruments for skills

and qualifications supply and recognition, as well as supporting international cooperation and policy dialogue.

• DG EAC is also responsible for managing education, training, and research opportunities under Erasmus+.

What has been done so far?• Since 2010, with the approval of the Europe 2020 strategy, a variety of flagship

initiatives have been launched, including:• DG EAC is also responsible for managing education, training, and research opportunities

under Erasmus+.• Erasmus+ aims to improve the quality of youth work and non-formal learning for young

people in Europe. It funds opportunities for youth workers and organisations to develop innovative approaches and exchange best practice, while supporting partnerships that allow young people to boost their interpersonal skills and job prospects.

• "Learning MOBILITY " consists of going abroad to study or undertake training. EU Ministers have agreed to double the proportion of higher education students completing a study or training period abroad to 20% by 2020 and support for mobility is a core focus of the EU PROGRAMME for education and training; Erasmus+

• Youth on the Move (YotM), whose aim is to help better equip young people for the job market – which includes boosting the literacy of the less skilled – and to improve their education and training levels

Erasmus +

• What is it for?• Erasmus + aims to improve the quality of vocational

education and training across Europe, providing opportunities for vocational students and staff to undertake traineeships abroad. It will help vocational education and training institutions to build strategic partnerships with other organisations and businesses to establish close links between education and training and the world of work.

• Overall, it will help to improve employability and life skills for individuals and contribute to the competitiveness of the European economy.

Who can take part?

• Funding opportunities are available for:• Young people aged 13-30;• Youth organisations in and outside the EU;• Other stakeholders involved in youth issues• Overview - VET (Vocational education and

training)

What does it involve?• Opportunities for vocational students, trainees and apprentices to undertake a placement

abroad, including in:• A company or other work place (e.g. public organisation or NGO);• Vocational school with periods of work-based learningin a company.• Opportunities for staff to undertake European professional development activities, including:• Training;• Job shadowing or observations;• Teaching assignments.• Cooperation between institutions:• Exchange best practices and innovative ideas;• Implement the European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET); and

European Quality Assurance in Vocational Education and Training(EQAVET);• Development and delivery of new vocational teaching and training materials;• Cooperation between vocational education and training providers and business communities;• Cooperation between different sectors to share knowledge.

EuroguidanceA network for Guidance and mobility in Europe

• What can they do for you?Provides information, counselling, e.counselling.Organizes training session in France or in Europe, number of fairs for students and high school

youngsters.• Where can you find information in your area?

In guidance centers such as CIO in StrasbourgOn websites like ONISEP or www.europe-et-

formation.eu-

• Through learning mobility, young people can acquire new professional competences and thus improve their future employability. At the same time, learning mobility has enabled education and training systems and institutions to become more accessible, international and efficient. In order to extend opportunities for learning mobility to all young people, the Commission:

• created a “Youth on the Move” website for information on opportunities for leaning and mobility in the EU;

• proposed a Council recommendation to EU countries that addresses the obstacles to learning mobility;

• will develop a Youth on the Move card to facilitate mobile learners’ integration process abroad;

• will develop in 2012 a European skills passport based on Europass, which will facilitate the recognition throughout the EU of competences acquired by European young people outside the formal education system.

Other projects

• a pilot project called “Your first EURES job” to test new ways to help young people FIND A JOB anywhere in the EU;

• a “European Vacancy Monitor” through which vacant jobs, together with the skills needed, can be identified in Europe.