For young people, special attention goes to those who leave school without any diploma. They will be offered individual work training and workplace mentoring, with businesses encouraged to create places for them.

“We are making more of an effort for lower-opportunity groups, especially young people with no qualifications, who we want to give a chance through their first work experience to make a better impression on the jobs market,” explained Ingrid Lieten, the Flemish minister in charge of tackling poverty. “Private employers, local authorities and non-profits will be encouraged to offer work experience. We will also be offering alternative routes to the jobs market, tailored to the needs of people living in poverty.”

For older workers, the agreement provides for an over-50 premium, varying according to age and duration of unemployment, to be paid to companies that engage staff members over 50. The age until which the newly unemployed have to take part in training and job-seeking is raised from 55 to 58.

“With this agreement we are making an important contribution, even in these financially difficult times, towards increasing employment and tackling the flood of unqualified young people,” said Flemish minister-president Kris Peeters. The functioning of our labour market is becoming an increasingly important question, given the greying of the workforce.” The agreement, he said, gives a “boost to our competitiveness”.

Flemish labour minister Philippe Muyters, meanwhile, called the agreement “a fundamental new step in employment policy. Together we have chosen a more targeted and individual method of putting people to work. That requires an effort from employers and workers alike, but I am convinced such a fundamental change of direction will help the Flemish labour market prepare for the challenges of the future.”

The agreement was reached together with the Social and Economic Council of Flanders (SERV) representing unions and employers. Karel Van Eetvelt, chairman of SERV and director general of Unizo, which represents the self-employed said: “We want this employment agreement to give the over-50s a chance to work and to make it more attractive for employers to take them on. I call on workers and employers to take advantage as much as possible of the chances this agreement offers.”