The purpose of the day is to advocate for the importance of skills, underlining the vital role of skilled youth in addressing the world’s most pressing global challenges.
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The World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) 2022 will be observed tomorrow, both in Bangladesh and across the globe.
The purpose of the day is to advocate for the importance of skills, underlining the vital role of skilled youth in addressing the world’s most pressing global challenges.
In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15th July as World Youth Skills Day to recognise the strategic significance of equipping young people with the necessary skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Since its inception, World Youth Skills Day has provided a valuable platform for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, businesses, employers’ and workers’ organisations, policymakers, and development partners.
Messages from the President and Prime Minister
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages to mark the occasion.
The President, in his message, expressed his support for the National Skill Development Authority’s (NSDA) efforts to celebrate the day in Bangladesh, just as it is observed globally. He noted that the observance of this day will play a crucial role in encouraging the working population to enhance their skills through training, thereby thriving in a competitive and challenging labour market.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, emphasised the legacy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, as the symbol of youth empowerment. She reflected on Bangabandhu’s recognition that youth are the life force of a nation and the primary drivers of development and progress.
The Prime Minister further noted that the youth of today are bold, energetic, promising, ambitious, and creative. Following in the footsteps of Bangabandhu, the government has adopted various initiatives to engage youth in the country’s development. Between 1996 and 2001, the government rolled out several programmes to involve young people in the mainstream development process.
Since taking office in 2009, the government has expanded technical, vocational, and agricultural training programmes, including in the field of information technology, to convert youth into skilled professionals. Sheikh Hasina reiterated that the Awami League-led government is focused on making Bangladesh a developed country by 2041. To achieve this goal, accelerating economic growth through the optimal use of the country’s skilled workforce is critical.
Highlighting the importance of creating skilled manpower for the evolving international labour market, she mentioned the establishment of the National Skill Development Authority (NSDA) by the government. She also expressed hope that World Youth Skills Day will inspire young people to focus on skill development.
Both the President and the Prime Minister wished for the success of all the events and programmes planned for the day.
Key Statistics on Youth Employment and Skills Development
| Region | Youth Unemployment Rate (%) | Skills Gap in Key Sectors | Projected Need for Skilled Workers by 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Average | 13.6% | Information Technology, Healthcare, Engineering | 45 million skilled workers |
| Bangladesh | 10.8% | IT, Agriculture, Construction | 5 million skilled workers |
| Southeast Asia | 16.3% | Manufacturing, Construction | 12 million skilled workers |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 30% | Agriculture, ICT, Healthcare | 15 million skilled workers |
The Path Forward: Skill Development Programmes in Bangladesh
In line with global trends, Bangladesh continues to invest in skills development to ensure a well-prepared workforce for future demands. The government’s initiatives such as vocational training in emerging sectors, including Information Technology (IT), green energy, and healthcare, are aligned with the growing need for skilled professionals. These efforts aim to bridge the skills gap and enhance employment opportunities for youth.