Youth unemployment: an inevitable fate? European regions pin their hopes on vocational training and international mobility for young people

Nearly 20% of young Europeans are currently out of work. The figures from Poland, Greece and Italy are particularly worrying (36.4%, 27.8% and 24% respectively), but they are also high in France, Germany, Finland and Belgium. Even well qualified young people are taking longer and longer to find a secure job that gives them financial and social independence.

Combating unemployment is regarded today as a crucial priority by 75.7% of young Europeans. The last AER thematic dossier entitled 'Youth unemployment: an inevitable fate?' presents some forward-looking policies and successful proactive measures in challenging youth unemployment which have been implemented in several EU Member states. Amongst them: a stronger international orientation combined with greater mobility, wider vocational training provisions, especially in secondary education and the implementation of individualised support for young job-seekers.

The AER dossier further highlights such winning European instruments as the AER Eurodyssey and the EU Leonardo programmes which support the access of young people to the labour market through enhanced vocational training and international mobility. Set up in 1985 by the AER, Eurodyssey is based on a double partnership: co-operation between the regions of Europe and collaboration with companies and training bodies at regional level. 60% to 80% of Eurodyssey trainees find a job within a few months of completing their work placement.

'In the year of the 20th anniversary of Eurodyssey, we wish to give a new impetus to this regional alliance in favour of young people. We would like to involve as partners of the programme the regions from the new EU member states, accession states and from Ukraine and the Balkans. A youth exchange like this also encourages the development of interregional co-operation in other fields,' stresses Klaus Klipp, the AER Secretary General. 'Of course regions from Italy, Germany, Austria or the United Kingdom would also be welcomed, as we have more applications for these destinations than we can cater for," he added.

In order to promote this programme amongst other European regions and to share the experience of the Eurodyssey partner regions, the Assembly of European Regions will organise an Eurodyssey Forum and a conference entitled 'Fostering vocational training and youth mobility – an investment in the future of Europe' on 15th and 16th September 2005, in Besançon (Franche-Comté/F). All European regions are invited to attend both events.

The conference programme and the AER Thematic Dossier 'Youth unemployment: an inevitable fate?' are available at www.a-e-r.org