The seminar “The labour market situation of young Europeans in post-pandemic conditions. Equalisation of professional and educational opportunities for young generation” took place in Lublin from 13-14.01.2023. It was organised by Europejski Dom Spotkań - Fundacja Nowy Staw, with the support of EZA and funded by the European Union. Representatives of workers’ organizations from Poland, Portugal, Albania, spain, Germany, Lithania, Slovakia, Italiy, Romania, the Netherlands, Ukraine and Latvia participated in the seminar.
IMPORTANCE OF THE SEMINAR
The richness of the panel discussions was made possible by the participation of speakers representing various labour market circles: trade unions, NGOs working on behalf of young people, universities, companies employing young people, schools and education circles. The panels included people from different parts of Europe measuring the problems and challenges of the labour market for young people.
The main aim of the planned seminar was a discussion about the current situation of young people on the labour market – in special in reference to the situation of COVID-19 pandemic and also about equalisation of professional and educational opportunities for the young generation. Naturally, a special attention was paid to the current situation in Europe in the context of the economic crisis caused by the war in Ukraine. This topic was widely discussed in the conference room and during the breaks.
The seminar provided an opportunity to share knowledge about the situation of young people in different European countries, experiences of working with young people, sharing good practices and methods of working with them and their protection on the labour market as well as the challenges and tasks facing Europe in this dimension.
Crucial was the process of seeking answers during the seminar to the questions:
-What is the current situation of young people in the labour market?
-What impact has the pandemic had on their education and mental and physical state?
-How can we help young people to enter the labour market? What support do they expect, what can we offer them?
-How can we protect young people from losing their jobs and from exploitation in the workplace?
-What educational challenges do we face?
THE MAIN TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING THE SEMINAR AND USED METHODS
During this 2-days seminar speakers and seminar audience could exchange knowledge and reflections connected with different aspects of the situation of young people on the labour market in face of post-pandemic reality and ongoing economic changes in Europe as follows:
-The impact of the pandemic and the current socio-political situation on the European labour market in the context of young people – widely presented by representatives of different countries
-The impact of the pandemic and the current social situation in Europe on the mental well-being of young people and their socio-occupational activity
-Support for young people on the labour market- good practices, system solutions
-Professional and educational expectations of young people in the labour market - perspective of employees and employers; young people's expectations of work and careers
-New educational challenges in the labour market: digital competences and interpersonal skills
-The role of trade unions in protection of young works against exploitation and discrimination
-Young Europeans friendly workplace – conditions and positive examples of solutions
-The development of digital skills with a focus on recognition of fake news
The seminar was largely in the form of a debate, in which speakers were able to address the topic of discussion in their presentation by contributing a high level of substantive value. All speakers prepared high quality graphic and factual multimedia presentations. Each panel was followed by a session of questions and comments. During the seminar there was also a workshop in which there was an opportunity to analyse and discuss fake news and develop the skill to recognize them.
THE MAIN CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE SEMINAR:
During our discussion panels and exchange of knowledge and good practices following conclusions and recommendations have been developed:
-The need to impart to young people, in addition to competence, values such as fraternity, identity, memory, sustainability.
-The need to build strong authority figures to guide young people in their life and career paths.
-A strong and resilient labour market should be created, favouring young people who experience the effects of the pandemic more acutely than other groups (redundancies, poorer working conditions).
-One solution is special programmes - already existing in many countries, but also as a challenge. The aim of the programmes is to integrate young people into the labour market, equipping them with the right skills to sustain themselves in the labour market.
-The role of trade unions, which should protect young people from exploitation, equip them with knowledge of their rights, was highlighted. Trade unions have a very large and significant role to play in this respect; the need to promote trade unions among young people and to include them in the structures of the labour market.
-The need for changes in education at a systemic level was repeatedly stressed - this was the case in various countries, whose representatives highlighted deficits in their education systems. Each education system has its advantages and disadvantages, which in many cases inadequately prepare young people for the labour market.
-The huge role of teachers and careers advisors, whose task is to skilfully guide young people in their career path, was emphasised.
-In order to strengthen the position of young people on the labour market, it would be worthwhile to introduce the following measures: promotion of the employment of PhD students and improvement of their working conditions, training of young people in strategic sectors, setting rental rates for flats (not exceeding 20% of the salary), introduction of work-life balance strategies, promotion of the return of young people who have emigrated for work, improvement of infrastructure in rural areas.
-Strengthen programmes and projects that train transversal competences - which will enable young people to be flexible - to work not just in one profession.
-Adapting activation programmes to the person - his/her current psycho-physical, social, economic situation; involving young people, focusing on their individual characteristics, strengthening motivation for lifelong learning.
-Provision of psychological and psychiatric care to young people due to the global, post-pandemic increase in cases of depression and to young Ukrainians affected by the drama of war and the loss of jobs and job prospects at home or abroad.
-Strengthening young people's potential and the need to practise and develop interpersonal skills - including teamwork (particularly important given the long period of isolation).
-Covering young people once they are in employment - the role of permanent support from the employer, mentor and also job centre staff was highlighted.
-It is important for the employer to be able to recognise the needs of the young generations (Y, Z) in order to effectively and efficiently manage a young team, which expects flexibility at work (e.g. hybrid work), a good atmosphere, appreciation, clear promotion paths.
-Promote opportunities for the development of skills among young people in general, such as mobility programmes (Erasmus+), NGO activities (internships/volunteering), participation in university projects: courses, study visits and courses organised by entrepreneurs.
-Promotion of in-service training among teachers, educators - increasing their digital skills (technological innovations) and didactic skills (increasing the attractiveness of their classes and forms of support).