Rabia Fatima
Youth Skills Day is an annual celebration that recognizes the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. It also aims to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities for youth skills development in the context of the global agenda for sustainable development. This article will trace the history of Youth Skills Day and how it has evolved over the years.
The Origin of Youth Skills Day:
The origin of Youth Skills Day can be traced back to 2014, when the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, following a resolution initiated by Sri Lanka and supported by other countries. The resolution recognized that fostering the acquisition of skills by youth would enhance their ability to make informed choices with regard to life and work and empower them to gain access to changing labour markets. It also acknowledged that skills development can reduce poverty and inequality, improve health and well-being, promote social inclusion and gender equality, foster economic growth and environmental sustainability, and build peace and resilience.
The First Celebration of Youth Skills Day:
The first celebration of Youth Skills Day took place on 15 July 2015, with the theme of “Youth skills for work and life in the post-2015 agenda”. The event aimed to highlight the relevance of youth skills development in the context of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which set a global vision for ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all by 2030. The event featured a panel discussion with representatives from governments, UN agencies, civil society, private sector, youth organizations, and media, as well as a youth focus group that shared their views and experiences on skills development. The event also showcased some innovative initiatives and best practices on youth skills development from around the world.
The Subsequent Celebrations of Youth Skills Day:
Since then, Youth Skills Day has been celebrated annually with different themes and events, involving various stakeholders such as governments, UN agencies, civil society, private sector, youth organizations, and media. Some of the themes have been:
-2016: “Skills Development to Improve Youth Employment”. The theme focused on how skills development can address the challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment, as well as how to ensure that young people have access to quality education and training that meets the needs of the labour market and society.
-2017: “Skills for the Future of Work”. The theme explored how technological advancements, demographic changes, environmental issues, and globalization are transforming the nature and demand of skills in the world of work, and how to prepare young people for these changes.
– 2018: “Improving the Image of TVET”. The theme aimed to challenge the negative perceptions and stereotypes associated with technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and to promote TVET as a valuable option for young people to acquire relevant skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.
– 2019: “Learning to learn for life and work”. The theme emphasized the importance of developing lifelong learning skills among young people, such as critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, digital literacy, and self-management.
– 2020: “Skills for a Resilient Youth”. The theme reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education, training, and employment opportunities for young people, and how to enhance their resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty and crisis.
– 2021: “Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic”. The theme focused on how to accelerate learning recovery and skills development for young people in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as how to leverage digital technologies and innovative solutions to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality education and training.
The Upcoming Celebration of Youth Skills Day:
The upcoming celebration of Youth Skills Day will take place on 15 July 2023, with the theme of “Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future”. The theme will highlight the essential role that teachers, trainers and other educators play in providing skills for youth to transition to the labour market and to actively engage in their communities and societies. It will also emphasize the need for agile and adaptable skill sets among young people in response to technological advancements and shifting labour market dynamics. The event will feature a high-level panel discussion with various stakeholders on enhancing the skills of teachers, trainers, and youth to pave the way for a transformative future. It will also include a YouthLead Innovation Spotlight that will showcase the positive impact of youth skills development on societies and economies, and empower young people to meet the challenges of an evolving global landscape through TVET.
Conclusion:
Youth Skills Day is a global initiative that celebrates the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. It also aims to raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities for youth skills development in the context of the global agenda for sustainable development. Since its inception in 2014, Youth Skills Day has been celebrated annually with different themes and events, involving various stakeholders such as governments, UN agencies, civil society, private sector, youth organizations, and media. The upcoming celebration of Youth Skills Day in 2023 will focus on skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future.
