UfM Community of Practice Supporting Transition from Education to Employment Readiness (STEER)
Economic Development and Employment
1 July 2025, Athens – The Union for the Mediterranean with the support of the German Development Cooperation and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) launched the second edition of its Community of Practice (CoP) on Youth Employment focusing on Supporting Transition from Education to Employment Readiness (STEER) to bridge the gap between education and labour market needs in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The first in-person meeting will take place in Athens on 1 July 2025 in the margins of the UfM Conference: the tourism sector employment-related opportunities and challenges.
The initiative aims to reduce the gap between education and business needs by strengthening collaboration between academia, vocational training providers, and industry. It seeks to improve graduate employability by aligning educational programs with labour market demands and addressing persistent unemployment and skill shortages.
Despite major investments in education and vocational training, the Euro-Mediterranean region continues to face high unemployment rates, especially among graduates, youth, and women. Job creation remains a top priority for UfM countries.
The Community of Practice on Supporting Transition from Education to Employment Readiness will address the persistent gap between education and business needs. While academic institutions develop knowledge and train future professionals, the labour market demands practical experience and industry-specific skills. This mismatch often leaves graduates struggling to transition into meaningful employment.
The UfM CoP on STEER offers a structured platform to bridge this gap. It fosters ongoing dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation between academia, vocational education, training providers, and industry. Through these efforts, the CoP aims to align educational pathways with labour market demands, enhancing graduate employability and supporting sustainable economic growth across the Mediterranean.
