Erasmus Pro: for a million young European apprentices by 2020

65 years ago, Robert Schuman observed that “Europe will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity”.

In this Tribune, the Jacques Delors Institute working group on youth employment calls upon European leaders to rapidly implement a new mobility program – Erasmus Pro – which would allow a million young Europeans to obtain a professional qualification in another EU country by 2020.

This Tribune is based on several key issues:

• Youth unemployment: an unacceptable situation, an insufficient response
• Trans-European mobility for young people to qualify and to access the job market
• A new European mobility programme: Erasmus Pro
• How the programme works: mobilising young people and businesses
• A budget of approximately €5 billion a year for young European apprentices
• Guaranteeing circular mobility for young apprentices within the EU and facilitating their return to their native countries