The world celebrates World Youth Skills Day

This Tuesday, July 15th, marks World Youth Skills Day, a date proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly since 2014, with the aim of highlighting the importance of providing young people with tools that allow them to achieve decent employment, start a business, or actively contribute to the development of their communities. In an increasingly dynamic and changing world, where the demands of the labor market evolve rapidly, technical and professional training takes on a fundamental role. This day becomes a platform to reflect on the challenges faced by young people in terms of education, training, and labor market integration.

The celebration recognizes that young people are key drivers of sustainable development, but also a particularly vulnerable group in the face of unemployment and inequality of opportunity. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 40% of young employees worldwide work in informal conditions, and millions lack access to quality technical education.

This year's focus is on the transformation of vocational training in the face of digitalization, climate change, and global crises, such as the pandemic or armed conflicts, which continue to profoundly affect younger generations.

Among the most demanded skills today are:

• Soft skills such as leadership, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Digital and technological skills (programming, digital tool management, cybersecurity).
• Specialized technical training in areas such as renewable energies, sustainable agriculture, health, robotics, or industrial design.
• Investment in these areas not only benefits young people, but also boosts the economy, reduces inequalities, and strengthens social cohesion.

In the Dominican Republic

In the country, youth represents a significant proportion of the population, which makes strengthening their skills a national priority. Institutions such as the Ministry of Youth, INFOTEP, the Youth and Employment program, and the Supérate program and the Vocational Schools of the Armed Forces and the National Police, offer free training in technical and vocational areas. According to data from the Ministry of Labor and multilateral organizations, the youth unemployment rate is around 18%, being higher in women and in rural areas. The challenge is not only the creation of jobs, but that these are of quality, formal and with projection to the future.

Alliances for Development

International organizations such as the UN, UNESCO, the ILO, and the Inter-American Development Bank have reiterated the need to work with governments, companies, NGOs, and educational institutions to create more inclusive training systems. In many countries, public-private partnerships are being promoted that allow young people to train directly in work environments.

Today's youth is critical, creative, and aware. But they need access, tools, and confidence. Celebrating World Youth Skills Day is not just a symbolic act; it's an urgent call for investment, educational innovation, and equity in access to real opportunities.

Building a more just and sustainable future begins by believing in and investing in what young people can do when given the right tools.