According to Nigerian national youth policy (2009), a youth is between 18-35 years. Globally, a quarter of the youth population make up the workforce. They make up about 50% of the total population. Faced with several challenges, the youths have to develop thick skin and resilience to thrive in today’s modern world. Many of them play dependents, relying on financial help to make ends meet. In unfavourable situations, the youth stands the risk in succumbing to social vices thereby constituting a nuisance to the economy.
The number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) has been increasing. With the growing unemployment rates, many youths are out of work. According to the UN, it grew from 259 million in 2016, to 267 million in 2019, and is expected to hit 273 million in 2021. Around 400 million people aged between 15 and 24 are missing out on employment opportunities.
Having a flawed economic system has shown that education is not even enough, it is important the youths learn other skills. In celebration of the World Youth Skills Day, organised by the United Nation, which falls today,15 July 2020, they emphasized opportunities and challenges facing youth’s employment.
A major focal point of World Youth Skills Day is to highlight the importance of technical and vocational education and training (TVET). This is to ensure that the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4–“Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” is achievable. These skills cover digital literacy, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, problem solving, communication and so on.
Several sectors, after being grossly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, have suffered setbacks. The educational sector is one of such. Many institutions have now had to adopt the virtual learning model. But this is only possible when the students have access to computer, reliable internet and conducive learning environments.
According to the International Labour Organisation, the pandemic has left 1 in 6 youths are out of work; those still in the workforce have seen their hours drop by an average of 23% .This justifies the theme for the World Youth Skills Day 2020 which is ‘Skills for the Resilient Youth’. This year’s event features a series of talks, discussions and presentations on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected different sectors.
Asides unemployment, the average youth faces a myriad of problems that include food security, gender inequality, inclusive growth, climate change, future of work, future of technology and internet among other social issues. To this end, it is pertinent that all stakeholders, government, parents and private bodies make it a priority to invest and equip the youths, who are the key drivers of any economy’s recovery, with the right skills to help shape the future they envisage.
Written by Patricia Uyeh