Deputy PM launches €14 million youth employment plan

Lodewijk Asscher, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, has set aside 14 million euros over the next two years to help unemployed young people find work by putting them in direct contact with employers. The aim is to get 23 thousand young people off of benefits and into paid jobs within the next two years.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, many young people are still struggling to find work because they do not know how to present themselves in a resume, social media like LinkedIn and in an interview. They often have little work experience and therefore do not know what skills employers find important.

Asscher, benefits agency UWV and the municipalities have therefore come up with a new approach. They want to bring unemployed young people into direct contact with employers. If a vacancy becomes available, they can work together to ensure good recruitment, selection and preparation of young people. Companies such as McDonald's, Rabobank, Kruidvat, Albert Heijn, Kijkshop, Hilton and Hema have already joined this initiative.

Municipalities are also going to actively mediate young people without basic qualifications to work. Many of these young people can not get a qualification due to circumstances or disability. Municipalities will work on finding a better alternative for them, such as a combination of work and study.