WorldSkills celebrates World Youth Skills Day

On 15 July 2023, the world celebrated World Youth Skills Day. Every year, this day marks an opportunity to put young people and skills at the centre of global discussions.

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, entrepreneurship, and to empower them to face employment issues and challenges of an ever-evolving world. This day highlights the potential of the global youth as changemakers, and raises awareness on key issues like skills development among young people, and its impact on worldwide economies and societies. It is also an opportunity to bring together young people and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions for various events and discussions. 

“Young people must be recognized around the world as “drivers of change” and empowered to become fully engaged in decisions affecting their future […] I urge everyone to act for youth skills development as a priority…”

— António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General

This year, WorldSkills International and UNESCO-UNEVOC got together in Bonn for a hybrid event, with support from WorldSkills Germany, to showcase the positive impact that skills development has on young people worldwide and the key role it plays in economies and societies all over the world. This year’s theme – Skilling teachers, trainers, and youth for a transformative future – was discussed within a focus group in two panels. WorldSkills Champions and Competitors participated in these discussions. 

The values of WorldSkills Lyon 2024 are more than ever in alignment with this day and all the events promoting young professionals and giving them the tools to acquire skills and build our future together. In honor of this meaningful day, we asked some of the young employees of WSL2024 to share their advice, and the professional lessons they have learnt.