Original Language
English
ISBN (PDF)
978-92-9268-822-6
Number of Pages
83
Reference Number
PUB2023/032/R
Year of Publication
2023
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Making Migration Work: An Analysis of Skills-based Mobility Schemes for Mediterranean Youth

This white paper aims to assess, analyse and compare a selection of existing youth mobility projects in the Mediterranean and distil lessons learned as well as recommendations to further facilitate mobility for learning and work purposes through skills-based circular migration. 

The methodology employed in designing this white paper includes a comparative analysis of existing and past skills-based mobility schemes. It also draws on and complements the Y-MED project evaluation conducted between January and June 2023.

The paper addresses the need for flexible labour migration policies in the European Union to better address demographic shifts and market demands. It emphasizes the importance of considering the developmental impacts on sending countries and promoting mutually beneficial schemes. The analysis also highlights limitations in scalability and local ownership of current programmes. Finally, it suggests an improved approach to skills-based mobility schemes to strengthen the linkage between internships and employment and foster stronger partnerships between public and private sectors.

  • Executive summary 
  • List of acronyms 
  • 1. Introduction 
  • 2. Methodology 
  • 3. Key concepts 
  • 4. Contextualizing labour migration and skills-based mobility schemes in policy and practice
    • 4.1 Labour and skills-based mobility in global frameworks 
    • 4.2 The continental context – European Union demographic shift and market transformations 
    • 4.3 European Union labour migration policy and regulatory framework 
    • 4.4 The local context in Italy 
  • 5. Comparative analysis of select skills-based mobility schemes 
    • 5.1 Project descriptions 
    • 5.2 Comparative analysis of interventions under review
  • 6. Challenges to sustain and expand skills-based mobility schemes 
    • 6.1 Challenges specific to sustaining skills-based mobility schemes 
    • 6.2 Managing risks of brain drain 
    • 6.3 Length of internships and scale of schemes 
    • 6.4 Experience over employability 
    • 6.5 Lack of clarity/minimum guarantees on migrant workers’ rights 
  • 7. Key recommendations and features to improve skills-based mobility schemes 
    • 7.1 Structural recommendations for more holistic, effective and sustainable skills-based mobility schemes
      • 7.1.1 Scaling skills-based mobility schemes beyond the project set up 
      • 7.1.2 Rely on sound evidence 
      • 7.1.3 Adopting a multi-stakeholder and multisided partnership approach 
      • 7.1.4 Adopting a rights-based approach to skills-based mobility 
      • 7.1.5 Harnessing the development potential of skills-based migration 
      • 7.1.6 Streamlining national legislative and policy frameworks 
    • 7.2 Key features to improve skills-based mobility schemes 
      • 7.2.1 Conducive policy environment 
      • 7.2.2 Engagement with companies 
      • 7.2.3 Strengthening pre-departure and skills alignment 
      • 7.2.4 Facilitating early integration 
      • 7.2.5 Monitoring employment/internship relations 
  • 8. Conclusions 
  • Bibliography