Advocate Kishan Sanmukhdas
Gondia, July 14, 2025 – Every human is born with a unique gift: the capacity to learn, grow, and create. The key lies in recognizing and honing these innate abilities to unlock a world of possibilities. As we approach World Youth Skills Day on July 15, 2025, the focus is clear—empowering young people with AI and digital skills to navigate a rapidly changing world. This day, established by the United Nations in 2014 and first celebrated in 2015, highlights the transformative power of skill development. This year’s theme, “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,” underscores the urgency of equipping youth to tackle modern challenges and shape a brighter future.
Skill development is more than just a tool—it’s a weapon to combat crises like unemployment, inequality, and socio-economic challenges. It’s the foundation for empowering youth, the torchbearers of change, to drive progress and prosperity. As Advocate Kishan Sanmukhdas Bhawnani from Gondia, Maharashtra, I firmly believe that every individual possesses unique talents waiting to be nurtured. World Youth Skills Day is a reminder to invest in these talents, particularly in the realms of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, which are reshaping the global landscape.
A Global Push for Youth Empowerment
World Youth Skills Day 2025 is a call to action to address pressing global issues—climate change, poverty, inequality, rapid technological advancements, and demographic shifts. Young women, people with disabilities, those from marginalized communities, and individuals affected by conflict or instability often face barriers to education and employment. The United Nations, through agencies like UNESCO-UNEVOC, is working to break these barriers by promoting skill development, ensuring certifications for acquired skills, and creating opportunities for youth who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the role of youth in driving innovation and change. By equipping young people with relevant skills, we can transform them from job seekers into job creators. This year’s focus on AI and digital skills is timely, as technology continues to redefine the world of work. From coding to data analysis, digital literacy is no longer optional—it’s essential.
In India, skill development is a national priority. The government has established a dedicated Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to provide training, foster entrepreneurship, and raise awareness about the importance of skills. On July 12, 2025, the Honorable Vice President of India emphasized this during a public address, urging coaching centers to transform into skill hubs. He highlighted India’s rich tradition of knowledge-sharing, referencing the Gurukul system depicted in the Indian Constitution. “We must unite to restore sanity in education,” he said, calling for a collective effort to prioritize skill-based learning.
India’s Robust Skill Development Ecosystem
India has taken significant strides to empower its youth through skill development. Since the 1950s, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been modernizing the country’s training ecosystem. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), launched in 2015, offers free skill training, with over 400 courses introduced in 2021 to enhance employability. The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, also launched in 2015, certifies individuals with existing skills under the National Skills Qualification Framework, ensuring their talents are formally recognized.
The National Career Service (NCS) Project, initiated in 2015, provides free online career skills training for job seekers. The Skill Management and Accreditation of Training Centres (SMART) streamlines the accreditation and monitoring of training centers, ensuring quality education. The Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihoods (Sankalp) program, supported by the World Bank, strengthens district-level skill ecosystems, while the STRIVE scheme improves the relevance of ITI and apprenticeship training.
Entrepreneurship is also a key focus. The PM YUVA Scheme, launched in 2016, fosters entrepreneurship through education, mentorship, and support networks. The Young, Upcoming and Versatile Authors (YUVA) Scheme trains aspiring writers, while the Kaushalacharya Awards recognize outstanding skill trainers. The Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping portal, launched in 2020, connects skilled individuals with sustainable job opportunities.
Special initiatives for tribal communities, such as the ‘Going Online as Leaders’ program and Van Dhan Yojana, promote digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities in areas like art, handicrafts, and textiles. These efforts ensure that even the most marginalized youth have access to skill-building opportunities.
A Global Movement Born in 2014
The history of World Youth Skills Day traces back to December 18, 2014, when the United Nations General Assembly, led by Sri Lanka and supported by the G77 and China, declared July 15 as a day to celebrate youth skill development. Since its inception, the day has grown into a global movement, with workshops, dialogues, and programs inspiring young people to acquire skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
Why Skills Matter
Skill development is the cornerstone of progress. It addresses critical issues like unemployment, inequality, and socio-economic disparities while preparing youth for a tech-driven future. World Youth Skills Day 2025 is a reminder that investing in AI and digital skills can empower young people to overcome challenges and lead transformative change.
Teachers, parents, mentors, and policymakers must work together to ensure youth have access to quality training. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning, we can unlock the potential of millions, creating a generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, let us commit to empowering our youth—the carriers of change—with the skills to build a prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future.
(Note: Author is Tax Expert Columnist Litterateur International Writer Thinker Poet sangeet madhyma CA(ATC) Advocate Kishan Sanmukhdas Bhawnani Gondia Maharashtra)
