Youth unemployment is plaguing the European society. Even to this day, with actions taken constantly the problem still exists. Improvement has been made however due to the European Union’s precision to do battle against this phenomenon. Focusing on solving the problem step by step, the number appears to be improving.
In most cases, people do not understand that there are different factors that are causing youth unemployment. One of those factors is the lack of formal education. It is extremely difficult for young men and women, without formal education to find employment nowadays. Gathering competences is a number one priority of course. Without any proper knowledge of today’s basic skills like for example digital skills, moving towards the marketplace is basically impossible.
Through European projects like the SO-VET Project, organizations and institutes all around Europe are doing their best to assist the situation. These programs and projects are aimed at:
- Determining the existing situation of social entrepreneurship and the particular needs of NEETs
- Analyze the skills gap that exists in the field of social entrepreneurship
- Foster the entrepreneurial motivation, skills, and mindset of young people
- Raise the learners’ awareness of the various aspects of starting up and running a successful business and social enterprise – legal, financial, managerial, leadership, marketing, etc.
- Provide a comprehensive online learning environment combining theory, practice, online coaching from experienced trainers and mentors, active networking with peers as well as an opportunity to attract potential investors;
- Encourage VET providers to implement the proposed curriculum as a solution towards youth unemployment
With these actions been taken, youth unemployment is certainly not as big of a problem as it used to be. However, it still remains a priority for the European Union and as long as that goes on, European partners will continue to form consortiums and work towards changing the future of young unemployed men and women.
*This article has been developed by Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (IED).