Every year, on the 15th of July, World Youth Skills Day is observed worldwide. This initiative was proposed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014. The idea behind this move was to encourage and equip young individuals across the globe with necessary skills beneficial for employment, entrepreneurial activities, and general work.
Objective of World Youth Skills Day
The main aim of World Youth Skills Day is to foster essential skills in young people for job procurement, entrepreneurship, and work execution. Another key focus of this initiative is to support the Incheon Declaration: Education 2030. This declaration emphasizes heavily on technical and vocational skill development and advocates for affordable, quality technical, and vocational education and training (TVET).
The principles of World Youth Skills Day align well with the Sustainable Development Goal-4, which concentrates on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, the event also targets eradicating gender disparity.
World Youth Skills Day 2021 Theme
The theme for 2021 is ‘Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic.’
State of Youth Employment and Schools during Covid-19
Statistics from UNESCO highlight that schools remained shut for over 30 weeks in half the countries worldwide between March 2020 and May 2021 due to the pandemic. A survey conducted jointly by UNESCO, the ILO, and the World Bank indicated that distance learning was the primary method of imparting skills during this challenging period. Employment among the youth fell by 8.7% during the previous year, while adult employment witnessed a fall of 3.7%.
Initiatives by India
India’s Prime Minister announced the sanctioning of 75 new Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JJSs) and inaugurated a dedicated portal for JSS. These institutions aim to provide vocational training to non-literates, neo-literates, and school dropouts in rural locations, focusing on skills relevant to the respective regional markets. Additionally, the curriculum for 57 new industry-aligned courses was launched.
Steps Taken by India for Youth Skilling
Various initiatives have been introduced in India to improve youth skilling:
– Industrial Training Centres (ITIs): established in 1950, these centres aim to expand and modernize long-term training in India.
– Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Launched in 2015 and updated in 2021, this program provides free skill training to Indian youths across over 300 skill courses.
– Recognition of Prior Learning: Introduced in 2015 to acknowledge the previously acquired skills of individuals.
– National Career Service Project: Provides free online career skills training for job-seekers registered with the project.
– Skill Management and Accreditation of Training Centres (SMART): A single window IT application that focuses on accreditation and continuous monitoring of training centres in India.
– Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood (SANKALP): A World Bank collaborated initiative focusing on district-level skilling through convergence and coordination.
– Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE): A World Bank assisted scheme aimed at enhancing the relevance and efficiency of skills training provided through ITIs and apprenticeships.
– Pradhan Mantri YUVA Yojana (Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan): Initiated in 2016, it works towards promoting entrepreneurship through education and training.
– Kaushalacharya Awards: Recognizes the contributions made by skill trainers and encourages more trainers to join the Skill India Mission.
– Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS): Provides opportunities for industry apprenticeship to fresh graduates.
– Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM): A portal launched in 2020 to assist skilled individuals in finding sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Special Initiatives for Tribal Community
The government has also introduced special initiatives like ‘Going Online As Leaders’ -GOAL and Van Dhan Yojna, targeting the tribal population to enhance their skills in art and culture, handicrafts, textiles, and digital literacy, leading to entrepreneurship development.