Social Europe “Youth Initiatives within the Employment Package” Brussels, 20 June 2012 Max Uebe Head of Unit 'Youth Employment, Entrepreneurship, Micro-finances' DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Social Europe Overview 1.The Youth Challenge 2.Youth Opportunities Initiative 3.Action Teams 4.Youth in the Employment Package 5.Towards a Youth Package 6.Questions

Social Europe Youth unemployment rate in the EU (March 2012)

Social Europe The Youth Challenge  youth (under-25s) unemployment is 22.4% for EU-27 (i.e. on average 2.5 times higher than the adult unemployment rate)  5.52 million young people unemployed in the EU: * + 1 million of young unemployed between 2008 and 2010 * 1 in 5 under 25 willing to work but can’t find a job  Long term unemployment among young people is 6.3% (up from 2.4% in 2008)  7.5 million young people between 15 and 24 currently neither in employment nor in education or training (NEETs)  Frustration: 12.6% of young people who want to work don't search jobs any more

Social Europe Youth Opportunities Initiative Member States are called upon to take decisive measure in four main areas: preventing early-school leaving developing skills that are relevant to the labour market supporting a first work experience and on-the-job training access to the labour market/getting a (first) job. The role of the EU in the YOI: greater use of ESF and ERDF for youth employment measures innovative approaches supporting youth employment supporting mobility of young people in the labour market. To be achieved through stronger partnership between political authorities, business and social partners at all levels of governance (European, national, regional and local) with Commission offering policy guidance and concrete assistance in the process.

Social Europe Youth Opportunities Initiative Member States…  to make greater use of available EU funding and adjust the way they use ESF  to substantially increase the supply of apprenticeships  to include a specific focus on youth employment in their National Reform Programmes Commission…  to spread Youth Guarantees  to propose a Quality framework on traineeships  to enhance mobility (Your first Eures Job, Erasmus and LdV placements, Erasmus for entrepreneurs, European Voluntary Service)  to support apprenticeships, young entrepreneurs and social enterprises through ESF TA

Social Europe Action Teams 8 Action Teams (EL, ES, IE, IT, LT, LV, PT, SK) About €7.3bn re-allocated At least young beneficiaries Funding typically reallocated to: PES to better serve young people traineeships (also abroad through Erasmus and Leonardo) VET and apprenticeship type schemes reimbursement of labour costs training or work placements for early school leavers

Social Europe Employment Package Announcement of two proposals: (1) Quality Framework for Traineeships (2) Youth Guarantees

Social Europe Quality Framework for Traineeships High political interest from EP, Council, Youth organisations Commitment already made in Youth Opportunities Initiative Objective: to establish a widely accepted quality framework to ensure high quality traineeships enabling smooth education- to-work transitions Public consultation launched on 19 April – comments welcome until 11 July

Social Europe Possible content of a Quality Framework for Traineeships Conclusion of traineeship agreement Definition of professional and learning objectives and tutoring/guidance Proper recognition of traineeship Reasonable duration Adequate social protection and remuneration of trainee Transparency of information on rights and obligations

Social Europe Youth Guarantees Calls from European Council, EP, Council, Youth organisations Commitment already made in Youth Opportunities Initiative Objective: Ensure that all young people receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, and apprenticeship or a traineeship within 4 months of leaving education/ becoming unemployed Input from Social Partners is most welcome

Social Europe Towards a Youth Package Communication on YOI implementation + CR on a Quality Framework for Traineeships + CR on Youth Guarantees = Youth Package by December 2012

Social Europe Questions 1) How can the involvement of Social Partners in the implementation of YOI be improved? 2) How do Social Partners view the envisaged Quality Framework for Traineeships? 3) What role can Social Partners play in the setting up of Youth Guarantee Schemes?