Skill training for sustainability

Ranjan K Baruah *

Skill training or skill development is a common word amongst Indian youths or youth around the globe.

It is more common where employment is government is a challenge for millions. Everyone wants to be employed and live a life with dignity.

We are aware that it is not possible for us to be employed in government sector and hence we have to prepare for alternate vocation.

Skill development or skill training is important as it trains young people to be employable.

Today, there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population.

The active engagement of youth in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and stable societies by the target date, and to averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of climate change, unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, conflict, and migration.

However, young people are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than adults and continuously exposed to lower quality of jobs, greater labour market inequalities, and longer and more insecure school-to-work transitions.

In addition, women are more likely to be underemployed and under-paid, and to undertake part-time jobs or work under temporary contracts.

One of the global events related to skill is World Youth Skill Day (WYSD) which is observed in 15th July. Traditionally organized by the Permanent Missions of Portugal and Sri Lanka, together with UNESCO, ILO and the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, this year the United Nation’s observance of the WYSD will shed light on the mechanisms needed to operationalize lifelong learning.

Rising youth unemployment is one of the most significant problems facing economies and societies in today’s world, for developed and developing countries alike. At least 475 million new jobs need to be created over the next decade to absorb the 73 million youth currently unemployed and the 40 million new annual entrants to the labour market.

At the same time, OECD surveys suggest that both employers and youth consider that many graduates are ill-prepared for the world of work. Attaining decent work is a significant challenge.

In many countries, the informal sector and traditional rural sector remains a major source of employment. The number of workers in vulnerable employment currently stands at 1.44 billion worldwide.

Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia account for more than half this number, with three out of four workers in these regions subject to vulnerable employment conditions.

The international community has set an ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It calls for an integrated approach to development which recognises that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions; combating inequality within and among countries; preserving and men; and ensuring full gender equality and fostering social inclusion, are interdependent.

Skill development is also important when it comes to India as Central Government as well different state governments are putting emphasise on skill development. It is important for the young people to choose skill or different trades as their area of interest and get training and get employment accordingly for sustainability.

(With direct inputs from UN publication )