Dr Renu Gupta
Youth is the future of the country and as a society it is essential to recognise their talents and play a significant role in fostering the acquisition of additional skills. Developing a set of core life skills is crucial for young individuals to manage school, work and other social relationships successfully .
In 2014, the UN General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day. According to United Nations “Technological advancements and shifting labour market dynamics increasingly call for agile and adaptable skill sets. It is crucial that we empower young people or youth to
navigate these changes effectively. ” The day serves as a significant reminder of the critical role that skill development plays in empowering young people to face the challenges of the world. This day also recognises that providing young individuals with Quality Education and Training opportunities is crucial for their personal growth , employment prospects and economic empowerment.
In an ever-changing and interconnected global landscape, cultivating a diverse set of ‘ Face the World Skills ‘ is essential for the youth to thrive and make a positive impact on society. Therefore it becomes the responsibility of the nation and world that the appropriate steps need to be taken to ensure that their skill sets are highlighted and they become more skilled with time, because the future of the country lies on the firm shoulders of the skilled youth. Be it employment, entrepreneurship or skilled work it is important to have the required skill set for performing.
A skill set is a collection of skills , qualities and experience that someone develops through their life and work. Possessing more skills can help expand one’sprofessional competence and allow to excel . In other words, it facilitates professional growth , results in higher productivity and provides a competitive edge. Skills and education combined can help society to overcome any difficult situation .
Learning is not always easy, but practices what you find difficult; and you will see how easy the learning process becomes for you. To get better in life we have to make ourselves better. We can develop new skills or improve existing ones by many ways like :
setting SMART goals, reading books, practising regularly, asking for feedback,
setting aside time, getting a mentor and joining a new training course .
As we progress through the job search process , we realise that Soft Skills are often transferable across careers and industries. While hard skills are important for completing technical tasks , strong Soft Skills make you the kind of employee, employers want to hire, retain and promote.
The Job Skills mainly include: Verbal and non verbal communication, Negotiation, Customer service, Mentoring and Coaching,Confidence, Meeting deadlines ,Time Management, etc. Whereas Workplace Skills include Problem solving, Teamwork, Time Management, Organising and Planning, Decision making, Learning, Adaptability, Creativity, Work ethics etc.
These skills are also called Power Skills, Professional Skills, and Human Skills – a way of thinking which allows to manage our own mental health as well as navigate through social situations with others.
As rightly said by Lao Tzu:
“Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power. ”
One has to identify their own skills and decide what skills to develop by doing SWOT Analysis , reflecting on past education and work experiences. Improving the right skills can make a person a better candidate for the job he wants . New skills may even take you in a completely different career direction. Consistently working on skill gaps like digital skills, people skills, employment skills, communication skills can help to tailor your CV to the job you want.
This year’s theme is – skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future, which highlights the role and importance of teachers , educators and trainers in society in providing various skills to young people for transitioning into their jobs and shaping them.
“Empowering young people through skills development strengthens their capacity to help address the many challenges facing society. There is no better investment than helping a young person to develop their abilities. Investing in youth skills development can transform young lives and entire communities. ” So aptly said by General Ban -Ki- Moon the former Secretary General of the UN.
Skills and jobs for youth have also been prominently featured in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 04 ensures inclusive and equitable Quality Education & promote life long learning .
Skill India -an initiative by the Government of India was a first step towards skill development of youth. Our worthy PM Narendra Modi is of the opinion that ,more we give importance to skill development the more competent will be our youth.
Our National Education Policy 2020 also acknowledges the significance of Soft Skills as essential life abilities. From the foundational stage to higher education the aim of NEP is to equip students with the vital competencies and abilities to thrive in a rapidly growing world . The role of NEP in skill development is to create a generation of skilled students ready to take up challenges and opportunities of the future . In NEP, employability skills include the soft skills that allow you to work well with others, apply knowledge to solve problems and to fit into any work environment.
Social and emotional skills, such as empathy,self-awareness, respect for others and the ability to communicate, are becoming essential as classrooms and workplaces become more ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse. Achievement at school also depends on a number of social and emotional skills, such as perseverance, efficacy, responsibility, curiosity and emotional stability
Let’s also make a firm commitment to equip students, teachers and the young people with the essential skills, values, knowledge and attitude . We can work together to shape a brighter future by enhancing ‘Face the World ‘ and ‘ Youth Skills’.
The author is Principal (Retd)
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