Attractive workplace for all - Increasing labour market participation of underrepresented groups
The Lisbon Council and subsequent Councils established a series of quantitative employment targets for the EU – an overall employment rate of 70%, a 60% employment rate for women and a 50% rate for older workers (those aged 55-64 years). In order to meet these objectives, companies will have their contribution to make.
Under Orientation 2: Increasing labour market participation of underrepresented groups (women, younger workers and older workers), examples of initiatives includes innovative use of training schemes for school leavers, or facilities / working time arrangements designed to meet the requirements of working mothers and older workers. Key findings of the research are the following:
- Company policies geared towards improving female and youth employment rates are primarily a response to accommodate persistent skills shortage.
- In most cases, the promotion of women’s employment involves a variety of measures encompassing internal and external support for childcare and elderly care, re-integration programmes after parental leave, and availability of part-time work models.
- The successful development of youth employment policies depends on a supportive network (employees, employers, public authorities, training institutions and schools).
- The introduction of job guarantees after completion of the training increase the success of such policies.