1. HORSENS 26 April 2012 Youth employment Policy Kees Terwan Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment THE NETHERLANDS

2. 2 Facts and figures unemployment Youth: 11,8% ; Overall: 5,9% (march ’12) Scholars/students excluded: 8,6% Low-educated: 13,7%; medium: 7,8%, high: 7,2% Non-western migrants: 23%; migrants excluded: 8% National problem, unemploym. rates differ locally Private sector problem: retail, catering, construction

3. 3 Parties involved in combat Youth Unemploym. Youngsters, schools, youth care institutions Employers, municipalities, public/private employm. Agencies Social partners (national/sectoral level) Various ministries Knowledge centres and scientists

4. 4 The Dutch Policy Facilitating school to work-transitions: no drop-out; labour market-related vocational training; promoting technical training (shortages expected) Cooperation of employers, schools, youth care and municipalities at regional level (Action Plan 2009-2011) Activating approach: individual responsibility; mix of carrots (income support, guidance) and sticks (work obligation, benefit sanction)

5. 5 Lessons learned Prevention is essential (and better than cure) Focus on risk in transitions: school-school and school-work Linking education and regional labour market demand No soft approach: invest in your future, show responsibility ! Work above income (youth wages, benefits); regional/local approach Private sector job creation: no ‘public youth guarantee scheme’

6. 6 Last but not least: What do we expect from the EU? Please do not interfere with the effective Dutch policy ! What can other countries learn from us? No cheap advices: national circumstances differ a lot !