Brussels, 23/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - After their visit to Italy on Tuesday 21 February and then to Spain on Thursday 23 February, European Commission experts, entrusted with the task of visiting eight EU member states that are most affected by youth unemployment, are heading for Slovakia. The percentage of young Slovakian nationals without employment is currently 35.1%, and those hit the hardest are from the Rom community. These figures can partly be explained by the growing number of Rom children who do not complete their secondary education and by their relatively low attendance rate in higher education.
The Commission taskforce will work in concert with the national authorities of Slovakia in order to give momentum to application of an action plan for youth employment, jointly devised by the Commission and Slovakia. They will aim to make the very best use of structural funds.
It will then be Portugal's turn to host the team of experts in order to discuss the surge of unemployment in the country that affects 35.4% of young people. The fact that youth unemployment makes up a significant segment of the employment market, and that young people generally have a low level of qualifications are two elements that may explain the situation in that state today.
The Commission's team of experts plans to strengthen action to enhance vocational training, provide assistance in finding jobs, provide apprenticeships and practical training, and give SMEs support, as well as discuss an expedited return to the use of structural funds.
The taskforce aims to complete the progress made by the support group for Portugal created by the Commission in autumn 2011.
Commission experts will, in coming days, carry out the eighth and ninth stage on their circuit. Their terminus is Greece. (SD/stag./transl.jl)