Unleashing Youth’s Potential Through 21st-Century Skills and Agency

“Megha is the first person, and the first girl, in our entire family to appear on television. People come up to us and share their excitement, which makes us proud. With many women having lost their jobs during COVID, she is now providing them with work opportunities, spreading the same happiness to other households.”

What began as a simple interest in her sister’s tie-dye hobby has blossomed into Megha’s thriving business. Inspired by her sister, Megha took a leap of faith when the Business Blasters team visited her school. She quickly formed a team of five and turned her idea into a full-fledged venture named 'Rang Bahar,' a designer dupatta company. Megha not only mastered the intricate art but also taught her team. Initially dismissing its potential, she soon realized her business could be profitable with every step she took. Today, with investors eager to support her venture, Megha dreams of expanding her business and organizing her own fashion show.

Stories like Megha’s highlight how equipping young Indians with 21st-century skills can unlock their true potential and help them shape their own destinies.

Our traditional education system heavily focuses on academic achievements, often leaving young people ill-prepared for the modern world. There's a pressing need for a more holistic, skills-based education that fosters entrepreneurial mindsets. The World Economic Forum emphasizes that skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, negotiation, adaptability, and innovation are crucial for success in today's world. Developing these skills benefits individuals and strengthens the economic and social fabric of our country.

India boasts one of the largest youth populations in the world, with 54% of its population under the age of 25. However, this demographic advantage remains underutilized. Each year, 12 million young people enter the workforce, but only 1 million new jobs are created. Consequently, India faces high youth unemployment rates, with nearly 83% of the jobless population falling into this age group (India Employment Report 2024). This situation forces many young people into the informal sector, where they often earn meager incomes without the necessary skills.

When given the right tools and opportunities, India's youth can thrive. Entrepreneurial mindsets and skills are essential not only for individual growth but also for economic development. By equipping youth with 21st-century skills, we can prepare them to become agents of change, enhancing their productivity and resourcefulness. This, in turn, can lead to a more peaceful and prosperous society.?

Take Ashish’s example, a 19-year-old who created a 1.5 crore logistics business. Despite facing family loss and academic setback after failing the 12th standard, he persevered through adversity. Recognizing the potential in India’s logistics sector, he founded AK Logistics, driven by a vision to provide trustworthy services.

With initial uncertainties but a strong determination, Ashish gained industry knowledge through internships. The Business Blasters Program played a pivotal role, providing mentorship and instilling self-belief. Armed with a team of 8 members and seed funding of INR 16,000, he started from scratch, setting up exhibition stalls in industrial areas and distributing pamphlets to build awareness. Despite initial challenges, securing their first client in the agricultural sector marked a turning point.

Ashish’s resilience paid off. Through word-of-mouth and relentless effort, his business gained traction. To date, AK Logistics has served 20 clients, employs 35 staff, and has delivered over 35,000 packages. With plans to expand operations across Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra, Ashish’s journey highlights the impact of entrepreneurial education and skills.?

"Without timely mentorship and support, I wouldn’t have found the courage to overcome challenges and take the leap of faith that led to this success."

Udhyam’s Commitment to Building Agency in Youth

At Udhyam Shiksha, we're committed to empowering young students and entrepreneurs to take charge of their lives. Through initiatives like the Entrepreneurship Mindset Curriculum (EMC) and the Young Business Program (YBP), we impart creative and problem-solving skills while providing real-time exposure to entrepreneurial activities. Our programs foster a community of vibrant young entrepreneurs who also act as agents of change (Sarvo Udhyam). This is made possible through partnership with government schools and ITI systems, enabling us to reach a vast population of students, maximizing our influence in fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among the youth. It is followed by rigorous monitoring and evaluation to assess the impact. So far, our efforts have fostered entrepreneurial mindsets among 19.5 lakh + Learners and 37,000+ Educators across 7,800 + Schools and ITIs spanning 12 States.?

Measuring Success

Udhyam measures the impact of its programs by evaluating mindset shifts in grit, self-awareness, and self-efficacy. The value unlocked is assessed through metrics such as the number of prototypes built, teachers trained, and seed money unlocked. By leveraging technology solutions like a WhatsApp Chatbot and exploring machine learning prototypes for automating evaluations, Udhyam is driving innovation in education.

The development of youth skills is more critical today than ever before. In an era marked by technological advancements and rapid change, the economy demands an adaptable, innovative, and skilled workforce. These skills benefit not only the individuals who learn them but society as a whole.