This column was inspired by something that I read from the WE Forum site about the changing landscape of work and the role of businesses in making sure that our kids today are equipped with the right skills to meet the challenges of the future. Indeed, we can’t leave it all up to the schools and the governments because the industries have more to gain from educating the future members of their work force.
First, let’s look at the figures. All over the world, there are about 1.8 billion people who are between ages 10 and 24. Every month, about 10 million people reach working age, but the world does not create 10 million new jobs every month. And this is where the problem lies. There are 71 million unemployed young people all over the world. Plus, 156 million who are actually working and live on less than $3 a day.
Aside from this, the fact is that the skills that these young people possess do not match the skill requirements of the available jobs. This is especially true in poor countries and in places where the education system leaves much to be desired. Another fact: six out of 10 children and adolescents worldwide do not achieve minimum proficiency in reading and math. Adolescents who are out of school number about 200 million globally.
The children need foundational skills (literacy and numeracy), transferable skills (problem-solving, confidence-building, team-building and communication), job-specific skills (for example, carpentry, coding, accounting, engineering, etc.), entrepreneurial skills and digital skills.
The good news is that businesses can do something to give children better opportunities. For example, they can increase the quality and the number of apprenticeships and mentorships that they offer, and provide training in those skills and areas that their business actually needs. They can even target the youth from the communities, the disadvantaged and the less privileged.
Another step that businesses can take is to work with schools and community groups to improve education by creating programs that focus on the needed skills. Businesses (through their employees) can participate in Career Day events to share advice and experiences with the students. Finally, businesses can also promote policies that support the family, the women and the disadvantaged so that everyone gets equal
opportunity.
If we don’t work together to help our children, it’s not only them and their families that will suffer. It’s not just the organizations, too, but also the economy and the country, the region and the whole world. Unemployment will rise, and more workers will find themselves trapped in low-skill jobs. It is in everyone’s best interest to support the youth to get the training and education they need to be able to make it in the new work environment.