Focus on bridging the global skills gap
World Youth Skills Day 2025 Highlights AI for Youth Empowerment: World Youth Skills Day is observed globally every year on July 15. The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2014 to emphasize the urgent need for skill-building among young people. In 2025, the observance holds added importance as it marks the 10th anniversary of the initiative.
Millions of youth worldwide continue to struggle with unemployment and lack of formal education. According to estimates, around 267 million young individuals fall under the NEET category—Not in Employment, Education, or Training—a number expected to rise to 273 million soon.
2025 theme underlines AI and digital readiness
The theme for this year, “Youth Empowerment Through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Skills,” underscores the need to prepare youth for a rapidly digitizing world. Artificial Intelligence is altering employment patterns, learning environments, and human interaction. Without adequate training, today’s youth risk being left behind.
UNESCO and ILO have raised concern over the digital divide and skill mismatch. Reports show that:
- 86% of students feel unprepared for an AI-based job market.
- 90% of girls in low-income countries lack internet access.
- In high-income countries, only 1 in 10 teenagers spend over an hour a week on digital learning.
- Most nations lack regulations protecting youth from cyberbullying and digital exploitation.
TVET’s expanding role in skill-building
To address these disparities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems are being promoted as key mechanisms for change. TVET combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enabling youth to become technicians, coders, artisans, and more.
Static GK fact: The UNESCO-UNEVOC network supports over 250 TVET institutions across more than 165 countries, including many in South Asia.
TVET has been proven to:
- Improve employment prospects
- Enhance entrepreneurial potential
- Boost income levels
- Provide skills for lifelong learning
- Offer better job flexibility and satisfaction
Events and engagement on July 15
Celebrations for World Youth Skills Day 2025 include global events at the UN Headquarters in New York, regional panel discussions, and skills exhibitions.
Some notable events are:
- Skills demonstrations by youth
- Essay and photography contests
- Roundtable discussions with educators and employers
Citizens can contribute by:
- Promoting TVET programs in schools
- Sharing success stories on social media with #WorldYouthSkillsDay
- Volunteering in career guidance workshops
- Organizing local awareness drives
Static GK Tip: India’s Skill India Mission, launched in 2015, has trained over 1.3 crore youth, offering certification in trades like carpentry, digital literacy, and AI tools.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
World Youth Skills Day 2025 Highlights AI for Youth Empowerment:
| Topic | Detail |
| Date of observance | July 15 annually |
| Established by | United Nations General Assembly in 2014 |
| 2025 Theme | Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills |
| NEET estimate | 267 million (projected to rise to 273 million) |
| Key support system | TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) |
| Girls offline in low-income countries | 90% remain disconnected |
| India’s national program | Skill India Mission (2015) |
| UNESCO-UNEVOC reach | 250+ institutions in 165+ countries |
| Hashtag for campaign | #WorldYouthSkillsDay |
| Common event formats | Panels, competitions, live demonstrations |
