FOREWORD

This brochure contains inspiring initiatives, practices and tools, including the EU projects, that showcase how youth work and non-formal learning can enhance young people’s creativity and innovation, through their experimental nature, participatory approaches, and peer-learning, and how this can help them to find their place in the labour market - and in life. It is the result of peer learning in an expert group which was looking into constructive response to challenges faced by many young people in Europe. At present, 13,7 million 15-29 year-olds are not in employment, education or training. And many of those who gain employment find that the reality of the job falls well below their ambitions and vision. Reliable pathways through education and training to quality employment are often lacking. Inadequate opportunities exist for practical experience in skills needed to function in a multi-agency, fast changing environment, despite the high labour market demand for such capacities. Overall, education frequently fails to deliver skills important for employment. The experts formulated recommendations as to how youth work could narrow ‘the gap between the competences acquired by young people and the needs of the labour market’. First of all, a framework is needed to enhance the role of mentors, coaches, and trainers. Investment is needed in teaching and learning, because the competence of youth workers is crucial if quality methods and tools are to be deployed. The context too must change: recognition and validation o