World Youth Skills Day 2025: Why is this day celebrated? Know its history and importance

With the 2025 theme ‘Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills’, the focus is on preparing the next generation for a future dominated by technology and innovation.

New Delhi: World Youth Skills Day is celebrated every year on 15 July. This day honors the importance of empowering youth with the skills they need to thrive in a constantly changing world.

World Youth Skills Day, also known as Vishwa Yuva Kaushal Diwas in Hindi.

Since its launch in 2014, this UN-backed initiative has been driving conversations around employability, entrepreneurship, and personal development.

With the 2025 theme 'Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills', the focus is on preparing the next generation for a future dominated by technology and innovation. Let's learn about the significance of this day, inspiring stories, and practical ways to unleash the potential of young talent.

Know the history of World Youth Skills Day
The United Nations General Assembly declared July 15 as World Youth Skills Day on November 11, 2014, through a resolution initiated by Sri Lanka and supported by several countries.

The first celebration took place on July 15, 2015, with the launch of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which emphasizes quality education and decent work for all.

The initiative was inspired by the recognition that youth unemployment and underemployment are global challenges. This is particularly so in developing countries where access to education and training is limited.

Since its inception, World Youth Skills Day has served as a platform to advocate for technical and vocational education and training (TVET), fostering dialogue between youth, educators, policymakers and industries to bridge the skills gap.

What is the significance of World Youth Skills Day?

This worldwide day is a call to action to unleash the potential of young people, who represent a significant portion of the global population. In countries like India, where more than 50 percent of the population is under 25, youth are the driving force for economic and social progress.

The day highlights the importance of equipping young individuals with practical skills to enhance employability, promote entrepreneurship and foster sustainable development.

It also addresses challenges such as limited access to education, gender inequality in digital skills, and the need for relevant skills for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including AI and digital technologies.

What is this year's theme?
This year's theme, "Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills", reflects the transformative impact of technology on work and society.

As AI reshapes industries, equipping young people with digital literacy and technical skills ensures they can lead change rather than be left behind.