Basic Information
World Youth Skills Day is an annual event observed on 15 July with an aim to raise awareness on the importance of investing in youth skills development.
Observed on: 15 July
Organized by: UN, UNESCO
Introduced in: 2014 (UN Declaration), 2015 (First Observation)
Observed: Worldwide
About World Youth Skills Day
Skills and jobs for youth feature prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Youths are more unemployed and exposed to lower quality of jobs than adults. One reason for youth unemployment is structural unemployment. It is the mismatch between the skills that workers in the economy can offer and the skills demanded of workers by employers. Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. So, world youth skills day (WYSD) is having much important.
The observation aims to raise awareness on the importance of investing in youth skills development. In December 2014, United Nations General Assembly has decided to observe every year July 15 as World Youth Skills Day (WYSD). The day was first observed in 15 July 2015. The observation also aims to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment. The day also aims to encourage youth to acquire skills and achieve personal success and fulfillment in life.
Activities and Programs on World Youth Skills Day
There are campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of youth developing skills. The hashtag used in social media campaign are #SkillsForAll, #SkillsChangesLives and #WYSD.
#SkillsForAll campaign is focus that everyone should have the opportunity to discover and develop their talents.
Many countries have government ministry for skill development and entrepreneurship which organizes many programs on this day and also throughout the year. NGOs, international, national and regional organizations, institutions, along with UN and allied organizations conducts many programs for skills development.
Many programs are not restricted on this day, it may spread throughout the year. Some programs include training to youths in different fields, training centers and skills development classes offered by different organizations, women empowerment programs, entrepreneurship programs, etc.