On October 20 and 21st 2012, the Youth Union of the Bulgarian Socialist Party organized a discussion on youth unemployment in Ruse. PES President and BSP Leader Sergei Stanishev was a key speaker at the event that gathered young people from local NGOs and Student Councils in Ruse University, as well as young socialists from all over Bulgaria.

The participants took the opportunity to share their views on the problems that young people face at the labour market. One of the key issues raised was the fact that high school graduates have difficulties writing their CVs and cover letters when applying for a job, therefore it was proposed that special classes for labor market counseling be introduced in schools. Also, the lack of practical training and internship programs in secondary and tertiary education undermine the job opportunities that graduates have. The limited number of jobs further deepens the problems of young people leading to an unemployment rate of almost a quarter of this group. The limited opportunities and low pay in turn have a negative effect on young people’s motivation to work or study.

Mr. Stanishev outlined the key proposals of the Party of European Socialists and the Bulgarian Socialist Party to combat low employment rates. He said that “better and more competitive education, more employment opportunities and policies for young families are the key of overcoming youth unemployment.

The discussion was part of the celebrations of 100 years of organized socialist youth movement in Bulgaria.