The labour imbalance

Graduates in Flanders are finding jobs fast, but the less educated are suffering for it

The news of late regarding youth on the job market can seem contradictory: Graduates seem to be finding jobs quickly, yet the unemployment rate among youth is rising. The problem, says the Flemish work ministry, is that employers are hesitant to take on less-educated workers when so many graduates are looking for jobs.

The Economist calls them “Generation Jobless”. They are young people aged 15 to 24 of whom 290 million worldwide are neither working nor studying. That’s almost a quarter of the planet’s youth who are considered “inactive”.

Across Europe, as in Flanders, the euro crisis has hit young job seekers exceptionally hard. The continent’s average youth unemployment rate sits at 23.5%. Not surprisingly, unemployment rates are highest in Greece (58.4%), Spain (55.7%), Portugal (38%) and Italy (38%).

Sabine Clappaert
(May 22, 2013)

Ghent University elects Anne De Paepe rector

The election marks the first woman rector of a university in Flanders

For the first time in its history, Ghent University has elected a woman as rector. Anne De Paepe, 57, was selected by the university board from the two candidates – herself and Thierry Mortier – who led in the elections.

De Paepe is a physician and heads the university’s centre for medical genetics. Her election comes as a surprise as her opponent, now vice-rector, was the favourite throughout the race.

Alan Hope
(May 22, 2013)