Challenges and alternatives for the long run | EUROtoday
In a Europe that wonders about its productive and demographic future, the talents of younger individuals turn out to be a strategic land on which to speculate, design and measure the effectiveness of public insurance policies. The World Youth Skills Day, established by the United Nations in 2014 and celebrated each 15 July, represents a possibility to take inventory of the state-of-the-art: what do younger Europeans actually know how one can do? What expertise do firms search for? And what do the information inform us, between misalignments, excellence and new challenges?
The numbers: between coaching and employment
According to the newest information printed by Eurostat, in 2024 14.2% of younger individuals between 15 and 29 years previous within the European Union have been out of schooling, coaching or work paths (the so -called Neet, Not in Education, Employment or Training). Although lowering in comparison with the 2020 peak (16.4%), the determine stays alarming in some international locations of southern Europe: Italy continues to be above the typical, with a neet price of 19.9%, Spain at 15.6percentand Greece at 17.3%. In distinction, the Nordic international locations and central Europe, the place the share drops under 10%(Netherlands 5.6%, Germany 6.4%, Sweden 7.1%).
But the numbers do not inform the whole lot. Because the true knot, at present, is just not solely to have a job, however having the talents to entry a dignified, secure and constant job with their research or aspirations.
The MISMATCH that brakes competitiveness
One of the primary obstacles to full youth occupation in Europe is the dearth of correspondence between the availability and provide of expertise. According to the Cedefop (European Center for the event {of professional} coaching), in 2024 over 40% of European firms reported difficulties find profiles with superior technical expertise, in sectors akin to mechatronics, industrial automation, ICT, renewable power and well being care.
Even the so -called Soft Skills – as soon as thought-about secondary – turn out to be basic at present. According to a LinkedIn Europe report, 76% of recruiters in 2025 think about efficient communication and an important time administration of primary digital expertise.
https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/giovani-europei-competenze-tecniche-e-mismatch-centro-futuro-dell-ue-AHS13DjB