Considering that the proportion of young people not in employment, education or training (the youth NEET rate) has remained unenviably high over the past 15 years and now stands at 30% for young women and 13% for young men globally, and the projection that the youth population will grow by more than 78 million between 2021 and 2030 (with low income countries accounting for nearly half of that increase); efforts to transform youth skills through education and training must therefore be reinforced and accelerated.
Young women and girls; young persons with disabilities; youth from poorer households, rural communities, indigenous and minority groups, as well as youths who suffer the consequences of violent conflict and political instability, continue to be excluded from opportunities for prosperity due to a combination of factors.
As we celebrate the 8th World Youth Skills Day today, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, firms, policy makers, development partners, finance institutions and all other employers of labour must continue to work towards reducing or removing the barriers to accessing gainful work, ensure that skills gained are recognized and certified, offer skills development opportunities and financial aids to out-of-school youth, those NEET, and those with early startups. Youths must also be fully engaged in decisions affecting their future for timely and definite impact.
Happy World Youth Skills Day!
#worldyouthskillsday #youth #transforming
United Nations UNESCO-UNEVOC International Labour Organization
