World Youth Skills Day, observed on July 15, celebrates the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. This day also addresses global challenges and promotes sustainable development.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-UNEVOC), young people are nearly three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. They often face lower-quality jobs, greater labor market inequalities, and prolonged, insecure transitions from school to work. Young women, in particular, are more likely to be underemployed and underpaid, often working part-time or under temporary contracts. These conditions make young people vulnerable to being drawn into violent extremism and conflicts, which disrupt education and stability, and limit opportunities due to a polarized online environment and persistent economic inequality.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack M. Mwadime, EBS, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) Director General Dr. Kipkirui Langat and Acting Director of Business Development, Marketing, and Trade at MSEA, Ms. Caroline Kioko interacting with youth during the conference
The theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024 is “Youth Skills for Peace and Development.” It underscores the crucial role that young people play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts. Addressing these challenges is vital not only for individual futures but also for the overall stability of societies. Equipping youth with the necessary skills fosters a culture of peace, nurtures responsible global citizens, and promotes sustainable development, building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.
Kenya joined the rest of the nations to observe World Youth Skills Day 2024 with the Skill up Africa Conference and Expo hosted by the Ministry of Labour in partnership with the State Department for MSMEs, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Nation Media Group. The conference drew actors in the technical and vocational skills space, youth, and actors implementing youth-focused programs.
Speaking during the official opening of the Expo and Conference, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack M. Mwadime, EBS, emphasized the importance of investing in quality education, particularly in digital entrepreneurship and innovation, as essential for creating the skills young people need to thrive in today’s economy. “We must invest in quality education especially in digital entrepreneurship and innovation as a cornerstone to create the skills young people need to thrive in today’s economy,” he emphasized.
Upskilling essential for a technology-driven future
As industries shift towards Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things-based operations, training a workforce skilled in current and emerging green technologies is critical. Further, as we transition to clean and renewable energy sources, it is increasingly important to reskill the existing workforce and train the future to ensure their employability. Youth Skills for Peace and Development calls upon every individual to recognize the untapped potential of young people as agents of positive change. Through upskilling initiatives and promoting digital leadership, youth can be better prepared for the jobs of the future while also creating a workplace that values work-life balance, diversity, and inclusion.
MSEA officers interacting with youth visiting the MSEA stand at the exhibition bazaar.
MSEA contributes to youth skills development by offering specialized business development services training to young people, promoting sustainable development. The PS was accompanied by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) Director General Dr. Kipkirui Langat, Nation Media Group CEO Mr. Stephen Gitagama, and Acting Director of Business Development, Marketing, and Trade at MSEA, Ms. Caroline Kioko, who represented the CEO, among other dignitaries.