Future of Work for African Youth: a conference to tackle challenges & opportunities in a changing world
English
ILO
The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org
Youth employability
Globally, nearly 68 million young women and men are looking for and available for work, and an estimated 123 million young people are working but living in poverty. The number who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) stands at 267 million, a majority of whom are young women. Significantly, young people are three times as likely as adults (25 years and older) to be unemployed.
Skills development is a primary means of enabling young people to make a smooth transition to work. A comprehensive approach is required to integrate young women and men in the labour market, including relevant and quality skills training, labour market information, career guidance and employment services, recognition of prior learning, incorporating entrepreneurship with training and effective skills forecasting. Improved basic education and core work skills are particularly important to enable youth to engage in lifelong learning as well as transition to the labour market.
Technological development, climate change, demographic shifts and globalization are major drivers transforming the nature of work, disrupting established structures and habits while presenting both challenges and opportunities.
Africa is the continent with the largest growing young population. Their active participation in the labour market is critical for poverty reduction. Improving young people's access to decent jobs and income in Africa is an imminent challenge. The private and public sectors struggle to create enough jobs for the 120 Million unemployed and underemployed young people, a number that is expected to increase by 10 to 20 million young people yearly at the same time as informality is a growing threat to prosperity.
What is the current work situation for young people in different parts of Africa? How is it influenced by the changing nature of work? Considering this, how can Africa harness the potential of its youth today and in future?
To better understand these questions and the extent of tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges, and to guide future actions, SDC and ILO join forces to organize the Future of Work for African Youth Conference in Geneva, with an interactive livestream for global audiences.
Conference languages are English and French.
For more information and to register click on the link provided below.
Disadvantaged youth
Skills anticipation
Africa
