This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
As the debate on youth unemployment rages on, it's essential to acknowledge the crucial role of education in equipping young people with the skills needed to thrive in the job market.
While many contributors to the debate seem to be equipped with an incomplete picture of the role of education in youth employability, it's clear that no country can survive in a world of knowledge-driven economies without prioritizing education and knowledge in their abstract forms and their application to solving social and developmental problems.
Germany and Japan, for instance, emerged from the ashes of war by emphasizing vocational training and technological innovations, respectively. These countries targeted the youth, equipping them with vocational skills to improve their employability and give them realistic hope of a promising future.
The problem of youth unemployment requires a multipronged approach, which is why the government's initiatives to reform the education sector and introduce a competency-based curriculum at primary and secondary school levels are crucial.
Additionally, the government has made policy and administrative changes to harness and keep tabs on the products of the envisaged education sector, including the recent inauguration of the National Employment Authority.
As the government goes about fulfilling its mandate, it requires broad-based support to ensure no desiring youth fails to secure gainful employment.
Ms. Winnie Pertet, chairperson of the board, National Employment Authority, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and supporting the government's gains and prospects in addressing youth unemployment.
