Slovak News Back to the news
Bauer: Unemployment among Young People In EU Alarming
Friday 18 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 18 (TASR) - The youth unemployment rate is significantly on the rise in all EU member states, said MEP Edit Bauer after Friday's discussion forum organised by the Representation of the European Commission in Slovakia.
The discussion forum was focused on the issue of unemployment and social policies in the EU.
Currently, the youth unemployment rate has risen to 25 percent (compared to about 10 percent overall). "The most alarming thing is that those with medium-level qualifications can't find a job. There's a risk they become entrapped in a circle of poverty later on – a circle they can't get out of on their own," said Bauer.
However, Bauer is heartened by the fact that demand for highly-qualified workers is growing. "Versatile skills, a team spirit, a feel for multi-culturalism and language skills are the greatest advantages of graduates who decide to enter the European job market," claimed Bauer.
EU specifically intends to focus on the inter-cultural and education exchange programmes. "Programmes like Erasmus for university students have been quite successful in Slovakia. It's rather enriching for students to visit another country, they can exploit the acquired knowledge later on," thinks Bauer.
A new project was established to support this prospect. "It's about co-operation and support for study exchanges but also work experience, giving the opportunity to young people from six post-socialist countries to enter the job market," said Czech MEP Jiri Mastalka.
Together with Bauer, the two politicans concurred that this is the right way to support young and talented people, who benefit mainly from their innovative approach to work. "They only need good guidance and positive mentorship," said Bauer.
All rights reserved. Any publishing or further dissemination of press releases and photographs from TASR's resources without TASR's prior written approval constitutes a violation of the Copyrights Act.
