A Europe 2020 flagship initiative

YOUTH ON THE MOVE An overview

What?

• An EU “flagship initiative” to respond to the challenges young people face and to help them succeed in the knowledge economy – adopted 15 September 2010

• An integrated strategy for young people, embracing both education/training and employment

• One of seven “flagships” in the Europe 2020 strategy for “smart, sustainable and inclusive growth”

Why?

• “Europe’s future depends on its 100 million young people”

• By 2020, 35% of all jobs will require high-level qualifications (today: 29%) = “knowledge economy”

• Too many early school leavers (14.4% of 18-24 year olds have less than upper secondary education)

• Only 32.3% of EU population have an HE degree (USA: > 40%, Japan: > 50%)

• Youth unemployment is too high: 21%

Europe 2020 targets

Early School Leaving

Higher Education Attainment (Age 30-34)

2009 2020

14.4%

10% at most

2009 2020

32.3%

40% at least

What’s the EU going to do?

Framework strategy with four action lines:

1. “Modern education and training systems”: actions to improve schools, VET, recognition of non-formal/informal

learning etc.

2. “Higher education”: specific actions to make higher

education more attractive / effective

3. “Learning and employment mobility”: actions to promote training + work abroad as a way to gain skills / experience

4. “Youth Employment Framework”: active labour market policies + reform of labour market rules

1.“Modern E&T systems”

• Council recommendation on reducing early school leaving (2010)

• High Level Expert Group on literacy (2010)

• Re-launched cooperation on VET (2010)

• Quality framework for traineeships (including transnational placements) (2011)

• Council Recommendation on promotion and validation of non-formal/informal learning (2011)

2. “Higher Education”

• Communication on modernising HE: a new agenda on employability, mobility, transparent info on study and research, internationalisation strategy (2011)

• Results of study on multi-dimensional global university ranking (2011)

• Multiannual Strategic Innovation Agenda: role of EIT, priorities for HE, research, innovation and entrepreneurship (2011)

3a. “Learning Mobility”

• Youth on the Move website on EU learning and mobility opportunities

• Council Recommendation on learning mobility + Mobility Scoreboard (adopted + 2012)

• Guidance on the rights of mobile students (ECJ rulings) (adopted)

• European Skills Passport (building on Europass, covering informal/non formal learning) (2011-2012)

3b. “Employment Mobility”

• Pilot project “Your first EURES job”, run by EURES, matching jobseekers with employers (2011)

• “European Vacancy Monitor”, vacancy database (2010)

• Monitor application of EU legislation on freedom of workers – report by Commission (2010)

4. “Employment”• Sharing effective practice in supporting young

unemployed

• Systematic monitoring of those “not in employment, education or training” (NEETs)

• European Progress Micro-finance Facility (EPMF) - finance to potential young entrepreneurs

• “Youth guarantee”: job, training or “activation” within four months after leaving school

• Encourage labour market reform by Member States (contracts, wage regulation etc)

Funding from EU programmes

• Feasibility for the creation of an EU student loan facility to facilitate mobility (with the EIB)

• “Erasmus for young entrepreneurs” preparatory action

• Review all EU programmes on education and training, including a public consultation (15/9-30/11), for post-2013

• Maximise the potential of the European Social Fund

• Argument for increased EU resources post 2013

Who’s responsible?

• EU competences mean: Open Method of Coordination (Europe 2020, integrated guidelines, ET2020, EU Youth Strategy)

• Member States in driving seat (including for funding)

• EU plays facilitating, agenda-setting, supporting and benchmarking role

• EU programmes: support mobility + joint projects in support of Youth on the Move objectives + Member State activities