The Future of Education

Rationale
The paper focuses on the improvement of the labour market situation of young people. The social consequences of the economic crisis are dire, and perhaps it is young people who have been affected the hardest. Their chances of entering or remaining in the labour market have been continuously on the decline. The unemployment rate in the European Union was 10.9% in 2012 for the whole population. For young people aged 15-24 years, however, the same rate was more than twice higher, (23.5%).
The social consequences of unemployment at a young age are studied by interdisciplinary diagnostic methods. Swedish researchers, for instance, have found significantly negative affects of previous unemployment on the current health of people who were jobless in the early 90s. (Helgesson at al, 2013)
Losing one’s job directly results in a loss of income. Consequently, unemployed people are twice as likely to become depressed, develop psychosomatic symptoms, suffer from low self-esteem, etc. as people in work. Paul and Moser, 2009).

Solutions offered by the employment system
In order to tackle young unemployment, the employment system offers flexible employment. That, however, may become a trap for part-time employees who work part-time only because they are unable to secure full employment for themselves. Typically they are women, young people and members of disadvantaged social groups. Involuntary part-timer workers tend to feel less motivated, and may, as a result, lose their spirits and become depressed. (McKee-Ryan et al, 2005) Those worried about their insecure position are likely to work longer hours, over-expert themselves more than their physical condition would allow. (Kivimaki et al, 2003) In the end this type of employment status affects employers, their families and communities as much as unemployment does.

Solutions offered by the education system
“Youth unemployment can be most effectively tackled by prevention. Prevention falls primarily within the scope of educational policy; it is, however, also in the interest of employment policy.” (Gere, 2001)
It is important to place more emphasis on both national and EU level on the methods of vocational- and higher education that are in the process of renewal at the moment. The European Youth Guarantee programme allocates additional funds for this purpose as of January 2014. The main areas of support are mobility and the strengthening of dual VET systems and dual higher education, primarily in cooperation with global enterprises. The dual type of education and training model offers theoretical education and practical training simultaneously, and provides transition from school to first job at a HIGH QUALITY workplace.
The presentation will focus on the longitudinal development of dual VET and dual higher education, including good practices. In addition, the impact of global companies on global mobility as well as the new effectiveness criteria of education systems will also be discussed.