World Youth Skills Day: Empowering Modern Youth

World Youth Skills Day is celebrated on July 15. The United Nations General Assembly established it to recognize the strategic importance of giving young people skills for employment or entrepreneurship. Regardless of their background or circumstances, every young person should be able to develop their skills and contribute to our shared global future. Read on to learn more.

Quick links: World Youth Skills Day

Why Do Youth Need to Learn Skills?

Acquiring new skills enables the youth to stay competitive in today's fast-paced job market. Not only that, it also helps with their personal growth, resilience, and self-confidence.

As a result, the next generation of skilled individuals can drive innovation and contribute to local communities in the future. They can also contribute to social inclusion, reducing inequalities and building a culture of lifelong learning.

Why World Youth Skills Day Matters

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), in 2021, youth unemployment (15-24 years old) continued to decline at 15.6% worldwide, more than thrice the adult rate.

World Youth Skills Day reminds us that equipping young people with the appropriate skills should provide them with employment opportunities. They must also be adaptable to keep up with the changing job market.

Another significant concern this event highlights is the employment gap between young people and adults.

We must create a seamless pathway from the classroom to the workplace, offering skills development opportunities for young NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) people. This involves creating a dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, and other development partners.

Finally, promoting youth employment and education is a global concern under the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Skill development is essential to achieving all the goals. Therefore, international collaboration is paramount in empowering young people with the right skills.

More Data About Youth Employment

The International Labour Organization reveals that one out of five young people belong to the NEET demographic. And those with work are likely to experience extreme poverty twice as much as adult workers, with less than US$1.90 per day of purchasing power.

The World Economic Forum predicts that 65% of children beginning primary school today will work jobs that do not yet exist. Their latest report estimated 44% of worker’s skills will experience disruption in the next five years, requiring young workers to learn new skills and adapt to demand.

Skills the Youth Could Learn

• Digital literacy: coding, understanding algorithms, and data analysis
• Entrepreneurship: business planning, financial management, and risk-taking spirit
• Sustainable agriculture: nurturing seeds, tending to crops, and embracing the soil
• Renewable energy: promoting green skills and mastering them, like installing solar panels or maintaining wind turbines
• Soft skills: critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability

Brief Timeline of Youth Skills Day

World Youth Skills Day Themes And Hashtags

• #WorldYouthSkillsDay
• #YouthSkills
• #SkillsChangeLives
• #WYSD
• #SkillDevelopment

Conclusion

World Youth Skills Day emphasizes skills training for youth worldwide, contributing to economic growth, innovation, and sustainability. However, we also need collective efforts such as policy reforms, investment in educational programs, improving the entrepreneurial learning ecosystem, and amplifying the message. Let’s do our part and support the youth to build a prosperous and sustainable world.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)