Cedefop has published a brochure on the actions taken to improve the situation of people with low qualifications.

According to studies, people with low skill levels are particularly at risk of unfavorable social phenomena. For example, in the EU, the unemployment rate among adults (aged 25-64) with low qualifications in 2017 was 13.9% compared to 4.2% among highly qualified people.

To avoid such problems, the European Union has introduced a number of preventive and remedial actions, including two major initiatives: "Youth Guarantees" and "Upskilling Pathways". The first action, targeted to persons under age 25, is to provide a good quality offer of employment, lifelong learning and apprenticeship within four months after losing a job or completing formal education. The second initiative is to support adults with low levels of skills.

The authors of the publication point out that an integrated approach is required to improve the situation of people with the lowest qualifications, including close cooperation among the key stakeholders (employers, public employment services, education and training providers, youth and social services). Activities aimed at improving the situation of people with low qualifications should include not only vocational training, but also actions leading to the improvement of basic skills and those relating to developing and actualising a professional career.

The full text, also in Polish, is available from the Cedefop website.