FRANCE

UNEMPLOYMENT

The employment rate among French youth aged 20/24 hasn’t dropped below 16% in almost 30 years, suggesting that an entire generation has been affected by high

unemployment. Youth unemployment in France is above 26%, more than double the national rate. On deprived urban estates and in certain rural areas, youth unemployment tops 40%.

WHO CAN I TALK TO?

Clerks give information, help fill in information sheets and give advices to register as a job seeker on the website

WHERE CAN I GO?

“Pôle Emploi”(which means « employment centre ») operates the center, assists jobseeker in finding placements and ensures benefits are paid.

It also has a website service for job seekers to review job vacancies or CVs.

IS ANYONE THERE?

The office is opened 5 days a week. But hours are flexible. Job seekers mainly find all

information on the website and visit the center in case of a particular problem.

UNEMPLOYMENT

BENEFIT

The conditions for receiving benefits are quite complex and depend on individual’s

circumstances and age. However, one criterion is that the employee must have worked at least 122 days out of the previous 28 months and not have left employment on their free will.

Young people who have finished compulsory education need to go the center for registration so they continue to benefit from social cover.

EDUCATION

Who may be concerned? Young adults who aren’t students anymore. Main missions:

accommodate and direct adults

help with the definition of the project

set up the definite formations and services Principal services:

carry out assessments develop competences

form with foreign languages help with professional reconversion

STATE AIDED JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Unemployed youth is the central promise of the present government to create state-aided jobs for young people.

“Jobs for the Future” aims to create 100,000 jobs this year, rising to 150,000 next year,

targeted at people between 16 and 25 who have no qualifications and are from urban or rural areas badly hit by unemployment. The state will pay 75% of the young person's

gross wage for three years.

The jobs will be mostly in the public service and non-commercial sector, principally linked to local authorities as well as the voluntary sector, transport and education.

"Generation contracts" is a state financial aid given to companies with fewer than 300

employees if they give a permanent contract to someone under 26.