World Youth Skills Day 2021, History and Significance of the day

The World Youth Skills Day is observed to pay attention towards Skill development in youngsters to help them grasp better employment opportunities. This day is observed every year on July 15 to create awareness about challenges and problems faced by youth in their professional life due to lack of skills.

United Nations shared, "World Youth Skills Day 2021 will pay tribute to the resilience and creativity of youth through the crisis. Participants will take stock of how TVET systems have adapted to the pandemic and recession, think of how those systems can participate in the recovery, and imagine priorities they should adopt for the post-COVID-19-world."

History of the day

United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on December 18, 2014 and declared July 15 as World Youth Skills Day. The first World Youth Skills Day was celebrated by many countries on July 15, 2015. 

Significance of the day

The day is observed to create an opportunity for conversation between TVET (Technical and vocational education and training), policy makers, employers, workers and skilled youth. Skilled youth with latest information will get more opportunities for better employment opportunities. 

Theme of the day for 2021

The theme of 2021 decided by UN is 'Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic'. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread disruption of the TVET sector. Skilled youth is facing social-economic consequences of the pandemic. To face the realities of the present along with the possibilities of recovery for the future this theme is of strategic importance.

Virtual Event

On July 15, 2021 from 8:30 pm to 10 pm IST, an interactive discussion will be organized by the Permanent Mission of Portugal and Sri Lanka to the United Nations, together with UNESCO, ILO and the office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on youth.