Topics

Apprenticeship

In June 2004, the German government and the employers and business associations signed the national Vocational and Educational Training Pact (for 2004-2007). German industry committed to creating 30,000 extra apprenticeship placements and 25,000 entrance qualifications (to improve core employability skills), which allows extra training for young jobseekers in the enterprises.

• Industry involvement in the training ensures labour market transition;
• Recognizes the value of formal apprenticeship

Germany

Advocacy

Since 2005, Deichmann, a major shoe retailer, has been holding a yearly competition for employers and companies that have been active in creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged young  people. The award is given to private companies (mostly SMEs) and public organizations that have been especially committed to helping youth with disabilities. The main goal is to set incentives to companies to combat rising youth unemployment.

• Promotional initiative in the form of awards;
• Targets enterprises that have created jobs, especially for young people with disabilities.

Germany and Austria

Youth employment promotion

Advocacy

The Youth Employment Summit (YES) Campaign brings together diverse stakeholders and works with them to (1) develop the capacity of youth to lead employment initiatives; (2) promote youth employment and address key development challenges; and (3) build in-country coalitions to develop national strategies addressing youth unemployment. In over 60 countries, youth-led networks work with stakeholders such as government, business, academics, NGOs and UN agencies to develop programmes and suggest policies for promoting youth employment.

• Includes multiple stakeholders, particularly youth;
• Focuses on youth leadership;
• Provides funding opportunities for youth entrepreneurship projects.

International

Youth employment promotion

The Jamaica Youth Employment Network (JYEN) was launched in Jamaica on 20 September 2005 under the aegis of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF). Within the JYEN, 23 major stakeholders have joined to champion the cause of promoting youth employment. JYEN facilitates social dialogue and the implementation of projects under the four focus areas of the JYEN, namely: employment creation, employability, entrepreneurship and equal opportunity.

• Includes 23 stakeholders, comprising government, employers, trade unions and youth;
• Pursues youth employment promotion through support activities targeting young people, advocacy and knowledge building and sharing. 

Jamaica

Youth employment promotion

In 2003 the State Secretaries for Social Affairs & Employment and for Education, Culture & Science established the Youth Unemployment Task Force to tackle more efficiently youth unemployment at the local, regional and sectoral levels. Participants include representatives of employers (Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers - VNO-NCW), education (ROC) and trade unions (FNV). The Task Force promotes cooperation between all stakeholders of the labour market and education.

• Based on an integral approach from local to national level;
• Multi-stakeholder initiative including private sector, trade unions and the education sector;
• Encourages private sector to create jobs for youth;
• Collects best practices.

Netherlands

Youth employment promotion

The purpose of the initiative Alliance for African Youth Employability, launched by the International Youth Foundation together with other partners, is to help young people in Africa develop skills and strengthen attitudes and behaviours that will help them find and keep employment. It aims to promote employability and employment for more than 1 300 disadvantaged young people aged 14 to 29 who live in rapidly urbanizing areas of Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and South Africa.

• Focuses on disadvantaged youth;
• Includes vocational training, life and core work skills training, entrepreneurship education and business start-up assistance;
• Involves multiple stakeholders.

Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and South Africa