Skills for the future

By 2030, more than one out of every two children will lack the most basic skills they need. They will be out of school, or have such a poor quality education that they are unable to read or do basic mathematics – let alone meet the demands of the coming Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will be driven by emerging technological advances.

The growing proportion of youth lacking basic work skills correlates to unprecedented levels of young people who are out of work or underemployed. But this skills shortage doesn’t just affect young people.

It means employers have a harder time recruiting the right talent, which places them at a disadvantage in competitive business landscapes. Where businesses face resource challenges, industries are less healthy and lack opportunities for workers. In short, a global skills mismatch means everyone loses.

With 1.8 billion youth around the world, Theirworld works to help bring the skills requirements for the next generation into sharper focus. We believe workforce readiness, soft skills, technical skills and entrepreneurship are vital to helping young people stake out a meaningful place in the society of the future.

We campaign for greater investment in inclusive skills for the next generation because it’s been proven that a quality education provides the best route out of poverty, inequality and instability.

If we are to address the global education crisis, governments, business and young people must work together to develop the resilient skills and qualifications that will be needed to adapt to the future of work.