World Youth Skills Day
| Every year, on 15 July, World Youth Skills Day is observed. It was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December 2014 and was first celebrated globally on 15 July 2015. The main objective of this observance is to emphasize the importance of developing technical and vocational skills[1] to enhance employment opportunities, decent work and entrepreneurship among young people. |
Each year, World Youth Skills Day is celebrated around a specific theme. In previous years, themes have included “Transforming Youth Skills for the Future”[1] (2022), “Skilling Teachers, Trainers and Youth for a Transformative Future”[2] (2023), and “Youth Skills for Peace and Development”[3] (2024). The event’s overarching objectives include raising global awareness of the key role of technical and vocational skills development in employment and entrepreneurship; reducing educational inequalities, with an emphasis on equal access for women and marginalized groups; and aligning skills with labour market needs and sustainable development within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
For 2025, the theme of World Youth Skills Day is “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills”[4]. This theme focuses on the need to equip young people with advanced digital skills and a deep understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), enabling them not merely to consume technology, but also to play an active role in its development, management and responsible use. In this way, this annual observance provides a platform for promoting skills-based training and paving the way for young people to succeed in a rapidly evolving technological world.
