Youth unemployment: Sabrina Roubache focuses on vocational training and apprenticeships

Faced with rising youth unemployment, the Minister Delegate for Education, Vocational Training and Apprenticeship, Sabrina Roubache, highlights existing integration schemes, particularly the vocational route.

“As you said, youth unemployment is rising again. But we have many tools, notably vocational training, one of the pathways that allows our young people to be integrated very quickly. You have the school component, and the apprenticeship component, which is a real success.” Sabrina Roubache said on Europe 1.

According to data published Friday by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee), the unemployment rate for young workers aged 15 to 24 reached 21,6% in the second quarter. It increased by 0,4 percentage points over three months and by 2,5 percentage points over one year.

The share of young people aged 16 to 29 who are neither in employment, nor in education, nor in training remained stable over the quarter, at 13,3%, but increased over a year.

The minister defends the record on youth employment

Sabrina Roubache also defended the results obtained since Emmanuel Macron's first election in 2017.

The minister highlighted "500.000 young people in employment since 2017, the highest level since the 1990s for 15-24 year olds".

Funding allocated to apprenticeships will be maintained.

When questioned about the projected decline in the number of apprentices in 2025, Sabrina Roubache cited the economic climate. However, she assured that funding for the program would be maintained.

“Funding for apprenticeships has been protected,” because “you don’t break a public policy that works.” Sabrina Roubache confirmed.

Three weeks before the start of the academic year, the number of young people enrolled in vocational training but still looking for a host company is not yet known precisely.

"We can't say for sure yet," but "you have three months from the start of your training in September to find a company." replied the junior minister.

Sabrina Roubache also appealed to employers who might be willing to take on these young people.

“My firm and I respond to all requests. A call to all companies: don’t hesitate to recruit young people as apprentices; you are training today’s skills for your tomorrow’s needs.” she said.

Unemployment is back in the political debate

These statements come eight months before the presidential election, as rising unemployment once again fuels the political debate. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu defended on Monday the record of employment policies implemented over the past ten years, while acknowledging the recent increase.

The unemployment rate for the entire working population reached 8,3% in the second quarter. This is its highest level since the fall of 2020, marked by the health crisis, and previously since the fall of 2019.

This development further distances Emmanuel Macron from the objective of reducing the unemployment rate to 5% of the active population.