Every year the United Nations(UN) World Youth Skills Day(WYSD) is globally celebrated on 15th July to highlight the importance of equipping young people with skills to provide opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. The first WYSD was celebrated on 15th July 2015.
The theme of 2020 WYSD virtual event – “Skills for a Resilient Youth”.
Note:
It is estimated that around 70% learners across the globe are affected due to the closure of school and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutes due to COVID-19.
Background:
The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA), declared July 15th as the World Youth Skills Day in the resolution adopted on 18th December 2014.
Importance of WYSD:
i.According to the Global Employment Trends for Youth 2020: Technology and the Future of Jobs, the number of young people under the NEET (Not in education, employment or training) have increased since 2017.
ii.Young people under NEET were around 259 million in 2016 and it is estimated to increase to 273 million by 2021.
iii.1 in 5 young people are under NEET and 3 out of 4 of them are women.
iv.WYSD provides an opportunity for the TVET institutions, public and private sector stakeholders and young people to acknowledge the importance of equipping them with skill for employment and entrepreneurship.
2020 Events:
i.The events of 2020 WYSD on the theme “Skills for a Resilient Youth” are organised by the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and Portugal to the UN, the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) and International Labour Organization(ILO).
ii.As a part of 2020 activities #skillskeepmoving campaign is organised to recognise the world of the essential skilled workers amid pandemic and events of 2020 are celebrated online with #wysd.
iii.UNESCO-UNEVOC organised an online conference on “Skills for a Resilient Youth” from 6th -13th July as a part of the WYSD celebration.
iv.To improve the design and implementation of apprenticeship programmes ILO launches Toolkit for Quality Apprenticeships Volume II for practitioners.
WYSD 2020 in India:
i.Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a digital skill conclave organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on the occasion of WYSD.
ii.15th July 2020, marks the 5th anniversary of the launch of Skill India Mission launched to offer courses to the youngest to focus on enhancing the required skills and training based on their job profile.
About UNESCO-UNEVOC (International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training):
Director– Soo-Hyang Choi
Location- Bonn, Germany
