The United Nations General Assembly designated July 15 as World Youth Skills Day in 2014 to raise awareness about the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.
Significance:
The day highlights the crucial role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in tackling global challenges such as youth unemployment and underemployment, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring economic growth.
2025 Theme:
“Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills”
This year’s theme underscores the need to equip youth with future-ready skills, especially in light of the rapid transformation of the job market through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies.
Focus Areas for 2025:
- Enhancing digital literacy among youth
- Expanding access to AI education and training
- Preparing young people for jobs in data, coding, automation, and other emerging sectors
- Ensuring inclusive access to digital tools, especially for marginalized and underserved groups
Global Activities:
The day is observed worldwide through a variety of activities, including:
- Workshops and training sessions
- Seminars and conferences
- Skill competitions and exhibitions
- Awareness campaigns on skill development and youth empowerment
India’s Involvement:
India launched the Skill India Mission on the first World Youth Skills Day in 2015. Since then, the country has continued to observe the day by promoting a range of skill development initiatives and schemes aimed at empowering its young population and aligning them with the needs of the modern workforce.