The document discusses ways to combat high youth unemployment rates in Europe. It suggests improving basic qualifications in primary school, providing economic incentives to seek jobs or education, and creating a flexible labor market. Vocational education and training programs are highlighted as one way Denmark achieved low youth unemployment, with nearly all graduates finding employment within a year of finishing their programs. Vocational training also increased employment rates across different origins in Denmark. The document recommends education and training systems that provide young people with the basic skills companies need and promoting a mobile labor market with many job openings.

1. Improving the employment situation of young people in Europe Mr. Bach Mortensen, Executive Director, Confederation of Danish Employers (DA)

2. Unemployment rate 15-29 years, 2010Q3 Pct. ANM.: The unemployment rates for the 15-74 years are seasonally adjusted. Source: Extraction from Eurostat Labour Force Survey

3. How to combat youth unemployment Decent basic qualifications (reading, math etc.) for all in primary school Economic incentives to look for jobs or education A flexible and open labour market which does not exclude the young Increased labour market relevance of education at all levels

4. Vocational education and training One explanation for the low youth unemployment in Denmark is found in VET Nearly all VET-graduates are in employment after a year, which also applies to young, male immigrants 2/3 of the training takes place at a company VET-graduates attain solid work experience and can contribute to the production from day one

5. Vocationally trained across origin Vocationally trained, newly educated, employed, status 2007, per cent Anm.: Uoplyst samt militært arb. er udeladt. Faglærte arb. består af kontor- og håndværkspræget arb. samt arbejde indenfor salg, service, omsorg og landbrug mv. Ufaglært arbejde er arbejde uden særlige kvalifikationskrav. Kilde: DST, særkørsel på forskerordningen Non-western origin Danish origin

6. Suggestions to improve employability of young Education/training where young people obtain the basic competencies that companies are looking for A dual systems is a good way to ubtain this A mobile labour maret with many job-openings