Conclusion: implementing jobs for youth policies

Action is required on many fronts to help youth get a firm foothold in the labour market. Success depends on both sound policies and effective implementation at the local level, which in turns requires the active involvement of different stakeholders. Action needs to start in early childhood and particular attention should be paid to ensure that highquality early-childhood education services reach children from low-income families and/or with an immigrant/minority background. Furthermore, to ensure that the benefits of preschool interventions endure for these children, supports for them and their families should be sustained to facilitate their progression in the education system. Likewise, individual follow-up measures for those disadvantaged youth who have succeeded in getting a foothold in the labour market should be maintained for a while to secure it. Governments cannot do everything alone and co-ordinated supports and incentives have to come from all stakeholders, employers, unions and NGOs, and naturally from youth themselves. A co-ordinated and comprehensive package of education, social and labour market measures should be developed and implemented jointly by all actors.