From 18–20 September, members of the industriAll Europe Youth Network gathered at the IGBCE Youth Village in Grömitz, following an invitation from IGBCE and in cooperation with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).

The strategic meeting gave participants the opportunity to exchange experiences, identify common challenges and discuss how to strengthen the Youth Network and the voice of young workers within industriAll Europe.

Through workshops and discussions, the young trade unionists identified a number of priorities for future work: quality apprenticeships, training and pathways into good jobs; housing and the cost-of-living crisis; industrial transformation and artificial intelligence; paid leave and reductions in working time; and strengthening the role and functioning of the Youth Network.

These discussions come at a crucial time for young workers. Europe’s industries are undergoing major transformations, while young people continue to face particular challenges when entering the labour market and building an independent life. Ensuring that young workers have access to quality jobs and a strong voice in shaping industrial change remains a key priority for industriAll Europe’s youth work.

IndustriAll Europe presented the organisation’s work and campaigns and discussed how the Youth Network can contribute to industriAll Europe’s wider trade union priorities.

Artificial intelligence and technological change were also high on the agenda. FES led a discussion on what the AI revolution could mean for the next generation of workers and how trade unions can ensure that technological change benefits workers.

IndustriALL Global Union's Youth Committee joined the meeting by video to present the committee’s work and priorities for the coming period, strengthening the link between youth work at European and global level.

Participants also added their voices to industriAll Europe’s ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: Europe’s Industry, Europe’s Jobs, Our Future campaign by recording video messages calling for urgent action to defend quality industrial jobs, strengthen European industry and secure a sustainable future for workers.

The meeting concluded with a clear ambition: to build a stronger and more active Youth Network that connects young trade unionists across Europe and ensures that their priorities are reflected throughout industriAll Europe’s work.

Young workers will live and work with the consequences of the decisions being taken today. Their voices must therefore be at the heart of shaping the future of European industry and the trade union movement.