World Youth Skills Day: A Day to Invest in the Future

“Equipping young people with quality education, training, and skills is essential. This World Youth Skills Day reminds us that teachers stand at the forefront of this great global effort.” - UN Secretary-General António Guterres

World Youth Skills Day is celebrated every year on July 15th to mark the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, and it is an opportunity to highlight the importance of youth skills development for the future of work. The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2023 is Skilling teachers, trainers, and youth for a transformative future. It highlights the essential role that teachers, trainers, and other educators play in providing skills for youth to transition to the labor market and to actively engage in their communities and societies.

The 21st Century Skill Set

The 21st-century skill set is a combination of hard and soft skills that are essential for success in the modern workplace. Hard skills are specific, technical skills that are related to a particular job or industry. Soft skills, on the other hand, are more general skills that are related to how people interact with others and how they work.

Some of the most important 21st-century hard skills include:

• Digital skills:?The ability to use technology effectively in the workplace.
• Problem-solving skills:?The ability to identify and solve problems in a creative and innovative way.
• Critical thinking skills:?The ability to think critically and analytically.
• Communication skills:?The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Teamwork skills:?The ability to work effectively as part of a team.

One of the most important 21st-century soft skills include:

• Adaptability:?The ability to adapt to change and new situations.
• Resilience:?The ability to bounce back from setbacks.
• Creativity:?The ability to think creatively and come up with new ideas.
• Collaboration:?The ability to collaborate effectively with others.
• Leadership:?The ability to lead and motivate others.

The Importance of Youth Skills Development

In today's rapidly changing world, it is more important than ever for young people to have the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. The 21st-century skill set is essential for young people who want to be competitive in the job market.

There are a number of ways that young people can develop their skills. They can take courses, participate in apprenticeships, or volunteer. They can also learn new skills through online resources or by working on personal projects.

Conclusion

World Youth Skills Day is a reminder of the importance of youth skills development for the future of work. By equipping young people with the 21st-century skill set, we can help them to succeed in the modern workplace and to build a better future for themselves and for their communities.

Additional Information

• The United Nations has a number of resources on World Youth Skills Day, including a toolkit for educators and a youth pledge.

https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/reports/youth-fellows-our-future-pledge

• The World Economic Forum has a report on the future of jobs that identifies the top 10 skills that will be in demand in 2025.

https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnrmlBhDHARIsADJ5b_lC_JeSrw9yRrYkfP6u7Obrw9ZIHKzPusPEpOszPKjuExtc_gzml1YaAmftEALw_wcB

• The Future of Work Skills Index is a tool that can help you to assess your own skills and to identify areas where you need to develop.

https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/workforce/future-of-work-and-skills.html