RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The United Nations marks World Youth Skills Day every July 15, recognizing the importance of equipping young people with essential workplace skills. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2014, the observance promotes employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth worldwide.

According to the UN’s official website, this year's theme, "Skills for a Shared Future," highlights the need for innovative programs preparing young people for rapidly changing societies and economies. The initiative encourages youth to lead with empathy, bridge cultural differences, strengthen resilience, and help create a more sustainable future.

The world of work continues evolving through artificial intelligence, the green transition, and increasing social complexity across industries and communities. Young people therefore need balanced competencies combining technical, digital, AI, green, social-emotional, civic, and uniquely human skills that technology cannot replace.

These broad skill sets enable young people to adapt confidently while actively participating in economic development and strengthening more inclusive communities. They also support effective communication across cultures, responsible leadership, and collaboration in increasingly interconnected workplaces and societies.

Despite recent progress, youth unemployment remains a major global economic and social challenge, according to the International Labour Organization's latest findings. The global youth unemployment rate declined to 13 percent in 2023, although recovery remained uneven across several regions.

The ILO also reports that one in five young people globally remains outside employment, education, or training opportunities. More than half of employed youth work informally, while many still lack stable jobs offering fair wages and adequate workplace protections.

Addressing these challenges requires stronger investment in education and skills development that better prepare young people for changing labour market demands. Technical and Vocational Education and Training, commonly known as TVET, plays a vital role in improving employability, supporting entrepreneurship, expanding access to quality education, and helping workers transition toward greener and more sustainable economies.

World Youth Skills Day also underscores the importance of lifelong learning as economies continue adapting to technological and environmental transformation. Investing in inclusive skills development today can empower young people to shape a more prosperous, resilient, and equitable future.