ACTIVER conference in Vilnius on youth employment

The event marked the close of CESI's two-year and EU co-funded ACTIVER project on strengthened roles of trade unions and social partners in the shaping of active labour market policies (ALMPs) in Europe.

Hosted in Vilnius, the event brought together policymakers, researchers, youth representatives and leaders from CESI's member organization network to address one of Europe’s most urgent and enduring challenges: youth unemployment amid an ongoing permacrisis.

A central focus was on the potential of ALMPs to provide structures and solutions, in all sectors including in particular metalworking, which employs over 11 million workers in Europe. The discussions reflected a shared sense of urgency: Without targeted interventions, Europe’s youth risks becoming a 'lost generation' amidst megatrends like demographic shifts and the green and digital transitions —outpacing current education and labour policies.

Key speakers included representatives from Eurofound, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), national public employment services (PES) and the European Youth Forum. Speakers highlighted that youth unemployment in the EU remains high at 14.5%, according to Eurostat, with the situation especially dire in industrial regions. Barriers such as limited access to quality apprenticeships and services in transport, housing, childcare, healthcare, in addition to precarious employment and exclusions from reskilling initiatives were identified as critical challenges.

While artificial intelligence (AI) and automation was noted to spark fears of job displacement, speakers also presented opportunities for safer and more meaningful transitions from school to work. EU tools like the Youth Guarantee, the Union of Skills and the Pact for Skills were cited as key levers to help that the green and digital transitions are fair, inclusive and future-ready.

Participants and national authorities showcased successful practices in supporting youth transitions — such as expanding access to paid internships, vocational education and training (VET) schemes, and social protection for young workers. As Cláudia Pinto from the European Youth Forum noted, "a dignified job is the foundation of participation in society.”

Present members of the Board of CESI Youth echoed this message, calling on trade unions to ensure that young persons are not left behind.

Sara Rinaudo, CESI Youth Board member and Chair of CESI's Working Group on the Future of Work, closed the event with a powerful statement:

“Trade unions are not obstacles to progress. They are its social engines, drivers of social progress, capable of transforming transitions into opportunities for inclusion, empowerment, and fairness. Let us do our part in ensuring that!”