Activities of Momchil NEKOV related to 2016/2101(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2016 priorities (A8-0309/2016 - Alfred Sant) BG
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2016 priorities
Amendments (16)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that youth unemployment is aand especially NEET's (neither in employment nor in education or training) rates are perpetual challenges for Europe; notes that the employment situation varies significantly across the EU; points therefore to the need for labour market reforms that would adapt education to market demands and tackle inequalities in education; expresses, in this context, its further support for the Youth Employment Initiative, the early school leaving rates, the provision of early childhood education and care and the completion of tertiary education level vary significantly across the EU; is of the opinion that quality job creation, education, innovation and research should be key priorities of the AGS and should guide the Country Specific Recommendations; points therefore to the need for lifelong learning educational schemes and labour market reforms that would improve the employment situation and tackle inequalities in education which needs to be inclusive and accessible for all; however, points out that education should not only provide skills and competencies relevant to the job market needs, but should also contribute to the personal development and growth of young people in order to make them proactive and responsible citizens; stresses therefore the need of civic education in the whole educational system both formal and non- formal; expresses, in this context, its further support for the Youth Employment Initiative and urges the Member States to implement fully the Youth Guarantee, based on a strong cooperation between employment services and the education system;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Emphasizes the need of continuing the efforts of reducing early school leaving and fostering the education of disadvantaged young people in line with the targets set by the Europe 2020 Strategy; notes that the results of the Education and Training Monitor 2015 show that in spite of some advancements towards the achievement of the EU 2020 targets, there is a raising risk of increasing the inequalities gap by leaving out the most vulnerable people, including young people having different socio- economic backgrounds and disadvantaged groups; draws attention to the need to increase participation levels in the labour markets among young women – particularly women after maternity leave and single mothers – and young migrants, low-skilled, young people with disabilities and all youngsters at risk of discrimination;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights that labour market policies generally, and skills matching in respect of VET policies specifically, must aim to create and promote high quality and secure jobs, in line with the ILO Decent Work agenda; notes that these policies must contribute to combatting the phenomena of precarious employment, zero-hour contracts, and unpaid internships;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Highlights that social entrepreneurship is a growing field that can boost the economy whilst simultaneously alleviating deprivation, social exclusion and other societal problems; therefore considers that entrepreneurship education should include a social dimension, and address such subjects as fair trade, social enterprises, and alternative business models, such as co-operatives, in order to strive towards a more social, inclusive and sustainable economy;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Calls for measures to facilitate the transition of young people from education to work by ensuring quality internships and apprenticeships, giving young people clearly defined rights that include access to social protection, written and binding contracts and fair remuneration in order to ensure that they are not discriminated when it comes to accessing the world of work;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates thatcalls that the level of education funding across Member States remains low in comparison to the pre-crisis situation and calls to increase the investment in infrastructures, quality and relevance of the education and training system through all available European funding instruments, in particular the structural funds (ERDF and ESF) and the EFSI; reiterates that sustainable investments in education and culture reinforce employability and contribute to sustainable growth and quality job creation in the EU; underlines the need for structural reforms of the education and training systems in the Member Statfurthermore, calls on Member States to channel investments into inclusive education which responds to societal challenges with regards to ensure equal access and opportunities for all, including by broadening early childhood education and adult learning opportunities and facilitating the return to education and training for those young people who have already left initial education; underlines the need for structural reforms and modernisation of school education and vocational education and training systems in the Member States, including a holistic policy approach of learning and teaching, fostering innovation, creativity and the use of digital technologies and the need to foster better interaction between the EU and the Member States and to facilitate the exchange of best practices among the Member States;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Reiterates that investments in education and culture reinforce employability and contribute to sustainable growth and job creation in the EU; underlines the need for structural reforms of the education and training systems in the Member States and the need to foster better interaction between the EU and the Member States and to facilitate the exchange of best practices among the Member States; highlights the need to strengthen synergies between culture and education and promote arts education as a crucial tool for the development of critical thinking, creative and transferable skills and competences as well as civic values which enable learners to become active, responsible and open-minded members of society;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Reminds that the impact of the economic and financial crisis imposed austerity policies and measures in many Member States, which affected the right to education; underlines that the priority given to reduce macroeconomic imbalances has to be balanced with the need to ensure and maintain minimum standards in the field of education, which deserves special attention; stresses, moreover, that structural reforms should take into account the most vulnerable members of our societies;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recalls the key role that non- formal education and informal learning can play in developing and sustaining necessary skills for youth employability such as entrepreneurship, leadership and capacity building, especially amongst marginalised groups;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Calls on Member States to increase the attractiveness of sciences, technologies, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes and studies in order to address the existing shortage in this field as well as to intensify the development of digital skills and media literacy at all level of education;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Underlines the fact that the education and training reforms have proved successful where social partners have been involved within the European Semester consultations;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that Erasmus+ contributes to mobility and cultural exchange across the EU; calls for better promotion and use of the European tools for transparency, mobility and recognition of skills and qualifications with a view to facilitating mobility as regards learning and working; reaffirms the need to also ensure mobility opportunities for vocational training, disadvantaged young people and people suffering from different forms of discrimination;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that Erasmus+ as well as other EU mobility programmes in the field of education and youth boost employability, contributes to mobility and cultural exchange across the EU; calls for better promotion and use of the European tools for transparency, mobility and recognition of skills, competences, knowledge and qualifications with a view to facilitating mobility as regards learning and working;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the importance of achieving validation of competences, skills and knowledge acquired through informal, non-formal and lifelong learning by 2018, as stated by the Council Recommendation of 20 December 2012; notes in this regard that the recognition is crucial in enhancing access to formal education and new professional opportunities, while reinforcing self- esteem and motivation to learn; emphasises the fact that some countries made significant progress in developing relevant legal framework, while others have difficulties in creating comprehensive validation strategies; highlights therefore the need of developing comprehensive strategies to enable validation;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that the cultural and creative industries contribute significantly to youth employment, employing, on average, more young people than any other sector; stresses that further promotion of and investment in the cultural and creative industries will be beneficial in creating new jobs and combating youth unemployment.; underlines in this context that cutting edge technologies, creative media and ICT are of particular interest to young people;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that the cultural and creative industries contribute significantly to youth employment, employing, on average, more young people than any other sector; stresses that further promotion of and investment in the cultural and creative industries will be beneficial in creating new jobs and combating youth unemployment. and therefore calls to strengthen the use of EU funding schemes, in particular Horizon 2020 and EFSI;