Brussels, 30/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - The quality and accessibility of non-formal education for all young people, as well as increased mobility are essential factors for promoting the employability of young people. This is the observation made in a study carried out by the European Youth Forum, in cooperation with the University of Bath and GHK Consulting. According to this study, five of the six soft skills mostly demanded by employers are developed through involvement in youth organisations: communication, team work, decision-making, organisational skills and self-confidence. “This research” says Peter Matjasic, President of the European Youth Forum “provides the long awaited evidence of the need for more political and financial investment in youth organisations to ensure that they can deliver quality Non-Formal Education, to more young people, thus providing more needed skills to more young people and ensuring a better access to the labour market”. The study was presented to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 26 October.
Based on the results of a study carried out by youth organisations, young people and employers, “The impact of Non-Formal Education in Youth Organisations on Young people's Employability” survey assesses whether the competences and skills obtained through non-formal education in youth organisations contribute to the employability of young people. According to the authors of the survey, long-lasting and frequent engagement and participation in youth organisations brings high soft-skills development. For young people who participated in non-formal education activities abroad, this includes also higher development of language, intercultural and leadership skills. The European Youth Forum points out that these skills can make the difference and are valued by employers, especially when young people have no - or very little - formal working experience. This makes the work of youth organisation an important contribution to the transition of young people from education to the labour market. According to the survey, participation in youth organisation is particularly valuable in developing social capital (network and connections) and in creating new vocation paths, especially for NEETs (people currently “not in education, employment or training”), early school leavers and young migrants. Employment services, employers and recruiters must be aware of the benefits from young people's involvement in youth organisations, and the skills gained be taken into account in the recruitment process. Young people should receive career guidance, coaching and support on how to efficiently make use of the skills in recruitment processes and better present the experiences and competences gained through non-formal education and volunteering experiences in youth organisations. (IL/transl.fl)