Learning from transition projects in Latin America

JACINTO, C.

Forum21 European Journal on Child and Youth Policy

Ijab

Lugar: Bonn; Año: 2010 p. 107 - 112

1383-7907

The article discusses the trends and approaches of training for work, as a main component of Latin American policies and programmes addressed to unemployed youth over the past 15 years. A preliminary approach to the programmes deployed over this decade, shows the persistent separation of programmes orientated towards salaried work and specific market opportunities - most especially those including internships and/or links with companies and/or unions - and those within the framework of "youth polices", oriented towards self-employment and micro-entrepreneurial projects. However, even though programmes´ design contemplates the need to aim at decent jobs, the fact that the latter are not abundant in the regional market and especially not available for youth, restricts the possibility for real intervention. In a region where social inequalities are polarized and poverty levels have increased, the programmes implemented have hardly succeeded in consolidating a system of education, training, and social care for young people with fewer opportunities. Some  new strategies above aim to overcome the more limited visions of vocational training, with increased links to formal education and the employment world and a more equal distribution of job opportunities which goes on the sense of promoting coordinated policies at various levels.