Skills to excel youth transform the day ahead
Dr Matiur Rahman :
In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.
The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2023 is skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future. It highlights the essential role of teachers, trainers, and other educators in providing skills for youth to transition to the labour market and actively engage in their communities and societies.
On World Youth Skills Day, various organisations, governments, and educational institutions organise events, workshops, and campaigns to promote skills development among young people. These initiatives often focus on vocational training, entrepreneurship, digital skills, and job readiness.
Experts opined that technological advancements and shifting labour market dynamics increasingly require agile and adaptable skill sets. We must empower young people to navigate these changes effectively.
Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is well placed to meet these demands by reducing access barriers to the world of work, ensuring that skills gained are relevant, recognised, and certified, promoting green skills and practices, and offering skills development opportunities for youth who are not in education, employment and training.
World Youth Skills Day’s overarching goal is to emphasise skills development’s role in empowering young people, enhancing their employability, and fostering sustainable economic growth. By equipping young individuals with the necessary skills, societies can better address the challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
“Skilling teachers, trainers, and youth for a transformative future” is an inclusive theme highlighting the importance of providing adequate skills training and development opportunities to educators, trainers, and young people. Equipping these individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge can create a positive and transformative impact on society.
Teachers play a vital role in shaping future generations. Investing in their professional development and providing them with the necessary skills to excel in their roles is essential. This includes training programs, workshops, and resources that enhance their teaching methods, subject knowledge, and pedagogical skills. Skilled teachers can create engaging and effective learning environments, benefiting their students’ educational outcomes.
Trainers, particularly those involved in vocational and technical education, significantly impact preparing individuals for the workforce. By providing trainers with up-to-date industry knowledge, teaching techniques, and training methodologies, they can deliver high-quality training programs that meet the demands of the job market. Skilled trainers can bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that young people acquire the relevant skills for various industries.
Empowering young people with skills is crucial for their personal and professional development. By offering comprehensive skill-building opportunities, young individuals can enhance their employability, entrepreneurial mindset, and adaptability to changing work environments. This includes providing vocational training, digital literacy programs, entrepreneurship education, and soft skills development. Skilled youth can contribute to economic growth, innovation, and social development.
The theme suggests that by focusing on skilling teachers, trainers, and youth, we can drive transformative change in various aspects of society. Equipping educators with the necessary tools can inspire and guide young individuals to acquire the skills needed for the future. Skilled trainers can ensure that vocational and technical training aligns with evolving industry requirements. Skilled youth can become agents of change, driving innovation, sustainable development, and social progress.
Overall, the theme emphasises the importance of lifelong learning, continuous skills development, and the recognition that investing in the development of teachers, trainers, and youth is essential for creating a positive and transformative future.
World Youth Skills Day is important in our global efforts to empower young individuals and equip them with the necessary skills for a prosperous future. By focusing on skills development, the day addresses the challenges of youth unemployment, the skills gap, and the need for inclusive and sustainable development.
It recognises that investing in the skills development of young people is essential for their personal growth, employability, and ability to contribute to their communities. By providing opportunities for vocational training, entrepreneurship education, and digital literacy, we can bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that young individuals acquire the skills demanded by the evolving job market.
Moreover, it emphasises the value of lifelong learning, encouraging young people to continuously upgrade their skills to adapt to changing industries and technological advancements. It recognises that skills development is a lifelong process that enhances individuals’ ability to succeed in a rapidly changing world.
By promoting World Youth Skills Day, we acknowledge the potential of young people as agents of change, innovation, and sustainable development. Through their skills, knowledge, and determination, young individuals can contribute to economic growth, social progress, and achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Ultimately, World Youth Skills Day serves as a platform to advocate for youth empowerment, inclusivity, and the recognition of skills development as a fundamental aspect of personal and societal development. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of young individuals, inspire others, and pave the way for a transformative future driven by skilled and empowered youth.
On World Youth Skills Day, let us unite to recognise young people’s potential as catalysts for change and commit to providing them with the skills and opportunities they need to build a prosperous and sustainable world for all. Together, we can shape a brighter future where no young person is left behind.
(The writer is a researcher and
development worker).
