Youth are the most important and dynamic segment of the population in any country. It is believed that developing countries with large youth population could see tremendous growth, provided they invest in young people's education, health and protect and guarantee their rights.
According to the report, between 2019 and 2020, individuals in the age group of 15–24 experienced much higher unemployment rates when compared to those above the age of 25. Young people were especially affected because, as the report states, the focus for most employers was to ensure retention of their existing personnel rather than new recruitments.
While high-income countries are expected to recover their employment deficit from 2020 in 2022, low- and middle-income countries are unlikely to close that gap quite so quickly.
The future of work will be influenced by technological innovations, demographic shifts, climate change, and globalisation.
These economic and educational deficits are projected to result in an increase in ability vs aspiration mismatches, notwithstanding the gaps in access and awareness. If the goal is to prepare youth for the future of work, we need to enhance the following:
1. Awareness about the green economy
In a green economy, growth in employment and income are driven by public and private investment into such economic activities, infrastructure and assets that allow reduced carbon emissions and pollution, enhanced energy and resource efficiency, and prevention of the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The importance of green economy is that it encourages economies to become more sustainable and low-carbon, and ensures that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services for our continued wellbeing.
2. Accessibility of digital resources
Digital accessibility is the ability of a website, social media, mobile application or electronic document to be easily navigated and understood by a wide range of users, including those users who have visual, auditory, motor or cognitive disabilities.
Digital technology can help enhance education, reduce youth unemployment, and promote socioeconomic development, but for youth to benefit from these opportunities, all young people must be equipped with a range of technological skills and have affordable access to connectivity.
Digital accessibility ensures universal access to all: every website and application needs to be designed keeping this in mind. One of the important consequences of the pandemic is working from home: this automatically implies greater accessibility for everyone.
3. Offer on-the-job learning and training.
On-the-job training allows employees to gain experience working in situations very similar to those they'll encounter on a daily basis. Employees will use the same tools and equipment they need for their job while being guided by an experienced trainer.
The goal of OJT is to provide instruction and practice opportunity so that the inexperienced learner can develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to perform the job tasks associated with his or her job role.
4. Cross-generational mentorship
A simple definition for cross-generational mentoring is pairing a person from one generation with a person from a different generation. The goal of this pairing is mutual learning and growth.
Types of Effective Mentorship Programs and When to Use Them
One-on-One Mentoring.
Situational Mentoring.
Developmental and Career Mentoring.
Reverse Mentoring.
Group-Based Mentoring.
The purpose of mentoring is to help mentees tap into the knowledge of those with more experience than themselves and learn faster than they would on their own. It's also an opportunity to grow their network and connect with leaders rather than only their peers.
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5. Providing the right support.
Successful engagement of young people in the labour market and society is crucial not only for their own personal economic prospects and well-being, but also for overall economic growth and social cohesion. Investing in youth is therefore a policy priority for the OECD.
Young people represent an important human resource within society since they act like agents of social change, economic development and progress.
Right Support focuses on the care and support needed to make sure people with a learning disability and autistic people of all ages can lead ordinary lives on ordinary streets through developing community services.
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