Youth Guarantees: a valuable measure if member states deliver

EUROCHAMBRES welcomed today’s Communication by the European Commission on Youth Employment, and particularly the proposal for a Council Recommendation on Youth Guarantees*, but stressed the need for national governments to commit resources to its delivery. It also insisted on Chamber involvement in discussions on a Quality Framework for Traineeships.

Arnaldo Abruzzini, EUROCHAMBRES' Secretary General, commented: "If handled properly, the Youth Guarantee initiative could prove a valuable lever in tackling youth unemployment. However, rather than a guarantee, it should be a commitment from national governments and be met through effective measures to ensure young people's access to work or further training. Authorities cannot simply pass on this responsibility to the private sector."

EUROCHAMBRES also stressed the importance of ensuring an effective dialogue with a range of stakeholders, not exclusively European social partners, during the anticipated second phase of consultation on a Quality Framework for Traineeships.

Mr Abruzzini commented: "Chambers oversee nearly one million apprenticeships each year, so it is simple logic to involve them in this discussion on a critical aspect of work-based learning."

* The concept of Youth Guarantees is that every young person should receive a quality offer of employment or training or further education within four months of leaving school or becoming unemployed.  This measure has the potential to effectively combat youth unemployment and provide young people with the right set of skills required by companies.

** Eurostat data

EUROCHAMBRES - The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry represents over 20 million enterprises in Europe - 93% of which are SMEs - through members in 45 countries and a European network of 2000 regional and local Chambers.