World Youth Skills Day, celebrated each year on July 15, calls for special attention to the importance of supporting young people in building skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. At TechnoServe, we believe that everyone, including women and youth, deserves the opportunity to earn better livelihoods and prosper. On this day, we’re emphasizing the critical role that skill development plays in overcoming challenges and promoting economic growth.
Youth in the Global South face many challenges, including high unemployment rates, limited access to quality education, and insufficient job opportunities. Skill development is essential to bridge these gaps, empower young people to build successful careers, and improve their livelihoods and communities.
The United Nations (UN) promotes World Youth Skills Day to raise awareness about the importance of youth skills development. The UN encourages governments, educational institutions, and organizations to prioritize training programs that prepare young people for the evolving job market. We join the celebration by discussing five critical skills youth around the globe need to thrive.
5 Critical Skills Youth Need To Thrive:
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Building Essential Soft Skills
Soft skills such as leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and teamwork are key for personal and professional growth. These skills help youth connect with others, present their ideas clearly, and work well in any work environment. By focusing on training these skills, we can help young people develop the tools they need to stand out in the job market, find good jobs, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Among these soft skills, leadership skills are at the core of TechnoServe’s work with youth. Leadership is more than managing others; it’s about inspiring and guiding a team toward a common goal. Young leaders can drive change, motivate their peers, and positively impact their workplaces and communities. By cultivating leadership skills, we empower youth to take initiative, make informed decisions, and become role models.
Arturo Landaverde, a woodworker, furniture builder, and designer, started his entrepreneurial journey in San Salvador. At age 23, he bought his first machine to build canvases for local artists. Ten years later, he is a thriving entrepreneur leading a team of 10 people (ages 22 to 33) who build custom furnishings for offices and residences. His initial motivation to start his own business originated from seeing his older sisters struggle to find jobs despite their college education.
“If I don’t start building my own business, I will probably end up struggling too,” Arturo realized. When he first started, he lacked the tools and vision to determine what to do next. In 2017, Arturo joined the Crece tu Empresa program, an initiative focused on supporting young entrepreneurs with business training and personalized mentorship, working with them to create a business model to help grow their businesses. Arturo started the entrepreneurship curriculum, which helped him develop his leadership skills. He understood that he needed help to continue developing and growing his business.
He acknowledges that the key to having a thriving business has been to surround himself with specialized talent that would complement his skills while fostering a culture of leadership and collaboration within his team. Though leading a team can be challenging, he inspires others by promoting cooperation and giving space for team-building activities, helping the group connect on a human level.
What is Youth Economic Empowerment for TechnoServe?Youth economic empowerment (YEE) is the process of engaging and equipping young people (ages 18 to 30) with the skills, knowledge, networks, and resources they need to contribute to and participate in the economy and reach their full economic potential. In 2023, TechnoServe’s programs benefited more than 39,000 youth. |
Building Success: Business and Financial Skills
Business skills are the bread and butter of entrepreneurial success and TechnoServe’s work. Learning how to create a business plan, manage finances, and understand the market can help youth start their own businesses or bring valuable skills to existing companies. For example, a young entrepreneur with business training might open a small shop, creating jobs for others in their community. By teaching business skills, young people learn to navigate the economy, seize opportunities, and build sustainable livelihoods, ultimately helping to reduce unemployment and drive economic growth in their regions.
Financial literacy is equally important. Learning how to budget, save, and invest wisely helps youth make the most of their earnings. For instance, a young farmer with financial skills can plan for the future, invest in better tools, and avoid debt. By teaching financial skills, we help youth make smart decisions with their money so they can support themselves, grow their businesses, and contribute to their communities. This knowledge is crucial to their long-term success and stability in the workforce.
Baranon Houdou, a 28-year-old from Benin, is a participant in TechnoServe’s BeniBiz program, a business accelerator that aims to provide entrepreneurs with the skills they need to build prosperous businesses, economies, and food-secure communities.
Baranon discovered his potential through a comprehensive training process. Initially a small-scale beekeeper, Baranon learned the importance of goal-setting and entrepreneurship. Through the program, he transitioned from a struggling entrepreneur to a successful beekeeper and business owner.
“I learned that bees play an important role in improving crop yields. I started with just three hives, but with BeniBiz’s guidance, I turned it into a thriving business,” Baranon shared. The training taught him to manage his time and finances effectively, setting clear goals and planning meticulously. This new knowledge improved his livelihood and made him a reference point in his community.
Djoule Bonna, a 27-year-old from Benin also participated in the BeniBiz program. She found the knowledge acquired in business management, marketing, and customer retention particularly helpful. Djoule also learned essential basics like accounting, bookkeeping, and the importance of savings. But the most profound impact was the financial support she received to open her own hair salon.
Navigating the Modern World: Technical and Digital Skills
Technical skills are essential in today’s job market. Whether it’s using computers or learning to operate machinery, these skills open doors to a wide range of job opportunities. For example, a young person trained in machinery, welding, carpentry, or other trade skills can get a job at a manufacturing company or even start their own business.
TechnoServe’s approach to building technical curriculums is informed by local market needs and meeting youth where they are in their developmental journey. By teaching these skills, we equip young people with the tools they need to succeed in various industries.
In today’s world, digital literacy is critical to accessing opportunities, education and learning, markets, and innovation. Many jobs require knowledge of computers, smartphones, and the internet. For instance, a young woman who learns to use digital tools can access online learning and even start an online business. Digital literacy helps youth navigate the modern workplace, connect with employers, and stay competitive. By teaching digital skills, we ensure that young people are included in the digital age, giving them the confidence and ability to thrive in a tech-driven world.
For Arturo and Baranon, familiarizing themselves with digital marketing materials and drawings has been critical to attracting new customers and improving the quality of their products.
On World Youth Skills Day 2024, we celebrate the importance of equipping young people with essential skills for their personal and professional growth. By focusing on soft skills, business skills, financial literacy, technical skills, and digital literacy, we can empower youth to overcome barriers, secure stable jobs, and contribute to their communities’ economic growth.
Julieta Ocampo is a senior specialist of program communications at TechnoServe.
