From rags to riches: tackling unemployment through good education

Europe’s financial, social and political system has been put under continuous pressure since 2008, when the world economic crisis set in.

Alarming rates of unemployment hit many Europeans hard. Of those, the most vulnerable were young people. The numbers were terrifying; in some Southern states, the unemployment rate reached 50%. Part of an entire generation has to cope with the difficulties of the labour market.

Better prospects for young people through better education

We, as the major political force in the European Parliament, are focusing on how to help young people reach their potential on the labour market and to pursue their goals in life.

This is one of our Group’s main political priorities. One of the key elements in gradually improving the situation of young people is education - to prepare qualified graduates with better chances of finding a position on the labour market.

It is all about exchanging good practices. What works well in one Member State could - and often does - work in another Member State. Michaela Šojdrová

Education and training is a matter for individual EU Member States. Nevertheless, the European Union offers support for overcoming common challenges within its policy framework of Education and Training 2020 (ET 2020), concluded in 2009.

Evaluating the EU's education policy

This week the European Parliament evaluated the Strategic Framework for Education and Training and concluded that improving conditions for teachers in Europe is a priority, as well as recognising their status as a qualified factor in tackling poverty and social exclusion.

Czech MEP Michaela Šojdrová, lead negotiator on this topic, highlights that the role of families should also not be underestimated.

“Communication between schools and parents, as well as strategies and personal development programmes, need to be emphasised in order to reinforce the role of families in the education process. Education and training goals should not be met at the expense of quality,” said the Czech MEP, who dealt with education programmes in her previous profession.

We call on the Commission to conduct research mapping radicalisation, violence, bullying and behavioural problems in all Member States. Sharing this information could help combat radicalisation in the EU Member States.

“It is all about exchanging good practices. What works well in one Member State could - and often does - work in another Member State. But some leadership is expected from the European Commission. That is why we call on the Commission to conduct research mapping radicalisation, violence, bullying and behavioural problems in all Member States. Sharing this information could help combat radicalisation in the EU Member States,” says Šojdrová, Vice-Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education.

Erasmus - a European success story

One of the success stories of the European Union is the Erasmus mobility programme. In the 2013-2014 academic year alone some 272 000 students and 57 500 staff were part of the education programme in different states, expanding their knowledge and linguistic experience.

For us, the Erasmus programme is a priority for European cooperation, but adequate financing must be secured and the educational programmes set up so the quality of high-level education platforms increases.

Education as a tool for tackling unemployment in Europe is high on the agenda of MEPs.