A special interview to Giliane Mallia – Head of National Coordination Office of EURES Malta
Photo of Giliane Mallia on Linkedin Giliane Mallia – Head of National Coordination Office of EURES Malta
Conducting a desk research within the project, we found out a substantial absence of EURES in the framework of youth associations in EU countries. According to you, what is the reason for this absence?
EURES (European Employment Service) is a network set up by the European Commission which can be found in 31 counties (EU 27, EEA countries and Switzerland). The main aim of the network is to promote mobility across the network. This is achieved by providing services both to jobseekers (in terms of assisting them with finding a job) and employers (by helping them with recruitment of workers from other countries) as well as providing information and guidance about living and working conditions in different countries, post recruitment assistance etc.
The network historically has mostly involved Public Employment Services (so in the case of Malta Jobsplus) as the main entity to deliver EURES services within the country, although that is changing with the inclusion of members and partners which I will expand on in later questions.
Coming back to your question I suppose the absence could be purely lack of awareness of EURES and the services offered. EURES has always had a focus on youths given that youth unemployment tends to be higher and youths are also potentially more ’’mobile’’. Initiatives targeting youths specifically include Drop’pin@EURES and Your First EURES Job, a financial mobility scheme aimed at helping young people move abroad.
Do you think youth associations could play a role in promoting EURES services?
Without a doubt yes they can. Even simply promoting EURES through their media channels would be a very good start. In addition in 2016, a new EURES Regulation was issued and one of the main changes was enabling the EURES network to grow to include members or partners that could be private companies or NGOs or any other type of entity provided the fulfill the criteria set out. Youth associations could potentially join the EURES Network in their country as a partner and would be in a position to deliver EURES services.
If so, which one?
This really depends on what services the youth association offers although in theory all services could be promoted.
There could be promotion of apprenticeship and traineeship positions as some countries also advertise such roles on the EURES Portal as well as services related to the provision of advice on all matters pertaining to mobility.
If so, how?
Again this very much depends on the youth association and how they are set up, whether they have a website or an online presence or whether they carry out most of the activities in person.
In your opinion, what are the skills that youth workers should have in order to be able to support youngsters in using EURES services?
I believe that the main skills that youth workers need to have is awareness of EURES, the services that are offered and the tools available. If the aim of youth association is purely to point young people who are interested in mobility in the direction of EURES then an understanding of what EURES is and how it can help are required. In the event that a youth association would formally want to become part of the EURES network (as a member or partner) then more knowledge would be required (depending on what services would be offered). In that case EURES members and partners are eligible to receive training that is organised on a European level on a variety of topics.
