Employability in the EU: Challenges and Opportunities

The European Union (EU) is marked by historical connections, socio-economic interdependencies, and shared challenges in labour market development. Despite these commonalities, the region is also characterised by significant diversity in economic structures, demographic trends, political contexts, and educational systems.

This volume responds to the urgent need for a nuanced, comparative understanding of employability across the EU - in the face of digital transformation, demographic shifts, and post-pandemic economic recovery.

The purpose of this publication is to provide a multidisciplinary and evidence-based exploration of the key factors shaping employability across the EU. It critically engages with issues such as skills mismatches, youth unemployment, gender disparities, informal work, and migration, offering insights into both persistent challenges and emerging opportunities. By drawing on case studies, policy reviews, and regional data, the book presents a rich mosaic of experiences and diverse approaches to workforce development.

Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis publishes a series of current and policy-relevant themed volumes within the fields of economics and finance. Both disciplinary and interdisciplinary studies are welcome.

Anne Marie Thake is an Associate Professor in the Department of Policy, Politics and Governance within the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta. Her teaching and research interests lie in public policy, governance and public management, with a focus on employability, labour markets, leadership and skills development in small-state and public sector contexts. Her research examines the relationship between government strategy, policy frameworks and labour market outcomes. She holds a Ph.D. in Social and Policy Sciences from the University of Bath, an M.Sc. in Human Resource Development from the Victoria University of Manchester, and a B.A. (Hons.) in Public Administration from the University of Malta. She previously served as Head of the Department of Public Policy and was a visiting lecturer to international universities such as Coimbra, Portugal, Edinburgh, Scotland and Trinity College, Dublin. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, and she has participated in EU-funded research projects such as COST Actions and Interreg Europe initiatives. She supervises doctoral and postgraduate research and coordinates public policy programmes at the University of Malta.

Inna Romānova is a Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences of the University of Latvia, the Director of the Scientific Institute of Economics and Management, and the Director of the professional Master's degree program in Financial Economics. Previously, she served as the Vice Dean for Science of the Faculty. She is an expert in Economics and Management Sciences at the Latvian Academy of Sciences. She has more than fifteen years of academic experience in Latvia and abroad, is a visiting professor at several European universities, and is an affiliated professor at the University of Malta. She also has professional experience in banking and finance in both Latvia and Germany. She has participated in several research projects, including the Latvian State Research Program project. In collaboration with foreign colleagues, she has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Her research focuses on Financial Technologies, Financial Management, and Risk Management. She is on the editorial board of several scientific journals and has co-edited several volumes of the Emerald book series. She serves as chair, co-chair, or member of the scientific program committees at several international conferences.

Simon Grima is the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy at the University of Malta, Professor and Head of the Department of Insurance and Risk Management. Simon is also a Professor at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, a visiting Professor at Haxhi Zeka University, Kosovo. He served as President of the Malta Association of Risk Management (MARM) and of the Malta Association of Compliance Officers (MACO) between 2013 and 2015 and between 2016 and 2018, respectively. He has been the current president of MARM since 2023. Moreover, he is the chair of the Scientific Education Committee of the Federation of European Risk Managers (FERMA). He is a member of the Strategic Risk Leaders Association (SRLA), formerly the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMO). His research focuses on Governance, Regulations and Internal Controls, and he has over 30 years of experience in Financial Services, academia and public entities. He has served as co-chair and is a member of the scientific program committee for several international conferences. He is a chief editor, editor, and review editor for some journals and book series. He has been awarded Outstanding Reviewer for the Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance in 2017 and 2022, and the Outstanding Author Contribution for the Book Series Contemporary Studies in Economic and Financial Analysis, Emerald Literati Awards in 2024. Moreover, Simon serves as an Independent Director for Financial Services Firms, sits on Risk, Compliance, Procurement, Investment, and Audit Committees, and performs duties as a Compliance Officer, Internal Auditor, and Risk Manager.