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YouthWiki

EACEA National Policies Platform
Iceland

Iceland

3. Employment & Entrepreneurship

3.6 Integration of young people in the labour market

Last update: 28 November 2023
On this page
  1. Youth employment measures
  2. Flexicurity measures focusing on young people
  3. Reconciliation of private and working life for young people
  4. Funding of existing schemes/initiatives
  5. Quality assurance

Youth employment measures

In response to the increase in youth unemployment after the economic crisis in 2008, the Directorate of Labour launched, in the beginning of 2010, an initiative called “Ungt fólk til athafna” or “Active young people”. According to the Directorate's annual report for 2010, the goal with this initiative was to ensure that all young people aged 16 – 24 will be guaranteed a work resolution within three months from unemployment. The initiative was to activate young people in education or work in cooperation with main actors in the education system, volunteer organizations and the labour market. Emphasis was put on career guidance and counselling where participants were encouraged to take part in various resolution measures which aim to build skillsets. Special attention was given to young people that hadn’t continued studying after primary school.

 

Flexicurity measures focusing on young people

There are no public documents which suggest that top-level policy regarding work flexibility specifically for young people is in place.

 

Reconciliation of private and working life for young people

There are no public documents which suggest that top-level policy regarding recognition of private and working life specifically for young people is in place.

 

Funding of existing schemes/initiatives

Althingi allocated 600 million ISK for the initiative “Ungt fólk til athafna” or “Active young people”.

 

Quality assurance

According to the Directorate of Lobour's annual report for 2010, The Social Science Research Institute within the University of Iceland was tasked with conducting a complete analysis on the initiative “Ungt fólk til athafna” (“Active young people”). The analysis involved conducting a survey where users were asked various questions concerning the initiative. Around 80% of users thought they received a quality introduction and assistance with finding a suitable resolution. The majority of users was satisfied with the resolution offered. A great majority expected that their participation would prove beneficial in terms of skillset and opportunities on the labour market, increase their public relation skills and improve their wellbeing. Conclusions also indicated that those who had finished the initiative were much more active in their job search than those who had not.