Empowering The Future

World Youth Skills Day is the day to highlight the need for young people to have the necessary tools. This year’s theme “Youth Skills for Peace and Development” once again highlights the fact that young people have great potential to be agents of positive change.

Youth are the future leaders, innovators, and problem solvers. However, youth cannot effectively fulfill these roles without quality education and training programs that match current and future labor market needs. It is important not only for personal growth but also for promoting economic development and social progress.

Having a skilled young population is not just an economic imperative but also a prerequisite for constructing a peaceful and sustainable world in our complex age. They possess novel ideas, boundless energy as well an immense desire to contribute positively. Ensuring such abilities among them therefore empowers them to address world challenges, fostering peace and making significant contributions within their societies.

Despite the increased acknowledgment of youth skills’ importance, many young people across the globe face significant hurdles:

Getting young people ready for the future needs teamwork from governments, schools, businesses, and community groups. So how do we make sure kids learn what they need to keep up with the changing world?

Let's look at some important things we can do:

As a tech partner, we are proud to collaborate with organizations dedicated to empowering youth. These partnerships play a crucial role in driving our mission forward:

1. National Skill Development Corporation - Skill India Digital Hub is a platform for the youth of India to get access to opportunities that shape their careers. The students can use the platform to accelerate various stages of their careers. From skilling and reskilling; to apprenticeship; jobs and also entrepreneurship opportunities, this platform helps them to find opportunities and support that can help them fulfill their career aspirations. The platform is also the gateway to various welfare schemes related to skilling. So far, over 60 lakhs+ youth have benefitted from the platform. NSDC has engaged with Tekdi as a partner to build the platform.
2. ONEST - An open network initiative improving access to learning and livelihood opportunities in the skilling and education ecosystem. As a network similar to ONDC, it allows providers of scholarships, jobs, content, and mentorship to list their offerings/inventory on the ONEST network. Seekers connected to the network can discover these and easily apply to jobs and scholarships, and access content. Tekdi has created Open Source software that makes it easy for Providers and Seekers to connect to the ONEST network.
3. Lend A Hand India prepares youth for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities by working at the intersection of education and livelihood. Tekdi has enabled the beneficiaries of LAHI’s program to easily apply for jobs and scholarships provided via the ONEST network.

India's massive population, with a youthful average age of 29, presents a unique opportunity: a demographic dividend. This advantage, as defined by the UN Population Fund, refers to economic growth fueled by a shift in age structure, where the working-age population outnumbers dependents. India boasts one-fifth of the world's young people, a critical asset for its ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy. With a sizable working-age population (62.5% between 15-59 years) until 2055, India is a magnet for investment. The surge in young workers presents exciting possibilities for economic growth, social mobility, and a more inclusive and vibrant society.