The recent compromise proposed by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU on the recommendations on the Youth Guarantee, A Bridge to Jobs, a copy of which EUROPE obtained and read on Friday 28 August, reinforces the focus on gender equality and the role of businesses in training young people.
All of the Commission's main proposals have been retained (see EUROPE 12518/2), including extension of the guarantee to young people under 30 years of age, greater account to be taken of the needs of minorities and women, and proposals relating to digital skills. The four-phase approach developed by the Commission (mapping the situation of young NEETs, raising awareness of the target groups, individualised action planning, and the offer to young people) have also not been changed.
Right from the first point in the document, gender equality has been given slightly greater prominence, alongside the right to fair and equal treatment regarding working conditions and access to social protection and training. The German proposal stresses the importance of a ‘gender-sensitive approach’. It is interesting to note that the Council of the EU adds that communication with young people should “avoid all stereotypes”.
The gender issue is often a stumbling block in the Council of the EU, particularly with Poland and Hungary, which have blocked conclusions on gender issues in the past (see EUROPE 12505/34).
Perhaps taking its dual education system as an example, the German Presidency also stresses the importance of instilling the entrepreneurial spirit in young people, and of doing more to include companies in apprenticeships to facilitate young people’s integration into the labour market.
The recommendations will be discussed for the first time at the Council of the EU meeting on 2 September. They may be adopted at the Employment and Social Policy Council (EPSCO) meeting on 13 October.
The proposal for the recommendations can be found at: https://bit.ly/2YQIMKL (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)