Youth Skills On The Agenda

Young people were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and many are still paying the price, whether in or out of work. It is hoped that a renewed focus on skills will help equip more to catch up and to thrive.

Young people's work prospects were hit particularly hard during the pandemic. Lockdowns, business closures and hiring freezes made finding a job difficult, and, in many cases, put lives on hold. For those in education, drops in family incomes combined with a widespread move to distance learning reduced options and opportunities. According to the International Labour Organization, 282 million young people were not in education or employment in 2020, and between 2019 and 2020, youth unemployment increased by some 34 million globally. Those affected now face significant disadvantages in accessing quality employment, and while there are signs of things improving in developed countries, lower and middle income countries continue to lag behind.