On the 7-8th June, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council of the EU met in Luxembourg. Amongst its conclusions, the Council made several recommendations to Member States and the Commission for the “new skills for new jobs: the way forward” initiative. It urged Member States to adapt the skills of citizens in response to changing markets and to improve participation in employment. Young workers were singled out as one of the disadvantaged and specifically targeted groups for improvement.

The Council conclusions state that for Europe to successfully make its way out of the crisis, measures must be taken by Member States and the Commission to move towards a knowledge-based, inclusive and sustainable economy. These include providing good employment and training opportunities, with special attention being paid to young people and other disadvantaged groups. Preventing the social exclusion of these groups is seen as a priority. The Council also encourages the further development of the recognition of non-formal education and informal learning, to improve access to employment and mobility. Finally, modernising the education and training systems is also seen as a priority, with the aim of developing key competences, such as in communication, maths, science and technology, ICT, social skills, entrepreneurship, intercultural knowledge, teamwork, flexibility and adaptation to change.

The European Youth Forum acknowledges the importance of quality education at school and training and retraining opportunities in a lifelong and life-wide context. However, specific early intervention policy measures in place in all Member States are indeed needed to facilitate and speed up the transition from education to labour market for young people.

Useful Links:

Council of the EU Press Release – 08/06/2010 - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs

Council of the EU Draft Conclusions - New Skills for New Jobs: the way forward

European Youth Forum Opinion Paper on Internships

European Youth Forum Position on Youth Employment in Times of Crisis