11 January 2022

The hearing was attended by Mariagrazia Melfi, Project Advisor, together with Giacomo Baccarelli and Giovanni Orlacchio, representing the European university college Association –  EucA.

In this historical moment, the EucA representatives underlined, the intervention of European institutions should be primarily aimed at young people seeking employment or who have not yet completed their education.

Helping young people to enter and consolidate their positions in the labour market is an essential component of European policies aimed at promoting economic growth and better living conditions.

In order to tackle rising youth unemployment and NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training), the EucA representatives proposed an EU directive to regulate internships and apprenticeships so that they can become real opportunities for entering the labour market through quality contracts.

During the hearing, a proposal was also put forward to introduce a 'Career Service' at national level to promote career guidance for young people, in order to better match job supply and demand. In this context, the creation of a centralised 'institutional LinkedIn' at European level, which could immediately put enterprises and aspiring workers in contact, was also proposed. 

Furthermore, the opportunity was highlighted to create a 'European qualification' valid across Member States to allow everyone to certify their skills, primarily digital and language skills.

Eventually, in view of the difficulties linked to the pandemic, it was proposed that psychological assistance centres be set up throughout Europe to support schools, universities and career services