The implementation of the youth guarantee scheme in Malta

Abstract

The concept of NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) finds its early roots in the UK during the late 1980s and is broadly defined as young people aged between 16 and 24 years who are not in employment, education or training. The NEET encompasses a heterogeneous category of individuals with different vulnerable levels, experiences, characteristics and thus needs. The Youth Guarantee addresses the psychosocial challenges experienced by unemployed individuals through the provision of relevant educational vocational training. Given the different characteristics and needs within the NEETs group, it is crncial to understand whether such scheme is adequately addressing those specific psychological, social and educative issues that are most relevant to the local NEETs. In what follows, the main objective of this study is to assess the Maltese YG 1.0 scheme along the following themes: the social context of NEETs, the acquisition of skills and training in the YG program and the wellbeing of NEETs. This will be investigated from the perspective of NEETs and other service providers, namely: the social worker, employer and educator.