New European programmes set to increase students’ employability – Cuschieri

Labour MEP Joseph Cushieri has praised the implementation of the new Erasmus programme and the European social fund, saying these were set to increase the "students' employability" within the work market.
 
Addressing the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Cuschieri said that Europe needs to address the problems and requirements youths are facing, particularly the economic troubles.
 
"Consequently, it is a step in the right direction for youths as the new programmes are set to assist them as well as vulnerable groups in order to integrate them more within society and the world of employment."
 
"The new Erasmus programme is set to benefit five million European students, thousands of whom will be Maltese who will afforded the opportunity to study overseas."
 
Meanwhile, the Labour MEP said that the new Loan guarantee facility is set to help numerous students finance their students but expressed his disappointment in being capped at €195.15 million.
 
While discussing the youths and students sector, the Labour MEP praised the European parliament for approving the European Social Fund report and explained that the Fund is a fundamental instruments at enabling the European parliament address the social exclusion suffered by vulnerable youths.
 
"Today's youths are tomorrow's future," he underlined. "As a result, the allocation of 20% of the European Social Fund towards fighting against poverty and social exclusion is a step in the right direction."
 
The Labour MEP explained that due to these measures of these fund, Malta is able to increase its participation by elderly and women and to be in a better position to fight against the educational end of students from the education process.
 
Cushieri explained that these measures would enable Maltese elderly and women to increase their participation and will also facilitate the cooperation between member states in the education and training sectors.
 
The Erasmus+ programme is set to address formal and informal education, training as well as youth and sport programmes. The scheme includes separate budgets for the Erasmus,
Erasmus Mundus, Leonardo da Vinci, Comenius, Grundtvig and Youth in Action programmes.