Tackling the youth jobs crisis

(Vatican Radio) On the eve of International Youth Day, the International Labour Organisation is warning of a “scarred” generation of young workers facing a dangerous mix of high unemployment, increased inactivity and precarious work in developed countries, as well as persistently high working poverty in the developing world.

In order to highlight the day itself the ILO says that although there are challenges facing young people seeking employment, there is hope out there.

At present there 75 million young people worldwide without a job which makes for grim reading, however, Yves Perardel, Technical Officer of the Youth Employment Programme at the International Labour Organisation says there are ways to tackle the crisis. “One is reduce the austerity measures and the second is really put some employment policies that are in favour of new technologies, in favour of green jobs”

The ILO also stresses the importance of technical and vocational education and training, saying it can play a central role in preparing young people for work, provided the programmes reflect labour market needs. Listen to Charles Collins interview with Yves Perardel