July 15th marks World Youth Skills Day. Today, we spotlight the challenges and opportunities that
young people face when it comes to employment. It's important to raise awareness about youth employment, as well as celebrate the amazing things that young people offer to the workforce.
What is Youth Skills Day about?
World Youth Skills Day is about equipping young people with the skills needed for decent work, employment, and
entrepreneurship. It's a significant day for young people, educational institutes, and employers alike to come together and acknowledge the importance of helping young people
build the skills they need to be employable.
It's vital that all young people know about World Youth Skills Day because it's a day that is all about them, their abilities, and their future. The theme for 2020 was ‘Skills for Resilient Youth’. This is a theme that is still prevalent this year as
COVID-19 still rages on across the globe. At Upskilled, we understand the challenges that young people have faced during this difficult time.
We tailor our courses to ensure that our students are well supported.
What is the best way to learn new skills?
It may seem difficult to find opportunities when we’re in the middle of a pandemic. But there are a bunch of places where you can go online and locally to gain new skills.
1. Study an online course.
Want the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification? At Upskilled, we offer courses in
business, community services and
IT.
All of our courses can be done from the comfort of your own living room with remote learning.
They can also be completed flexibly meaning that you can hold a job, spend more time with family and friends, and keep up with your hobbies. Certificate programs run for 18 months whilst diplomas go for about 24 months.
Upskilled offers plenty of support to students with a student support team, customised learning platform and specialised tutors.
2. Find a local community college.
![pottery concept]()
Ever considered trying tap dancing or painting? Many local councils have a community college where you can take classes in just about anything. Get creative and learn the art of pottery, learn a new language, try your hand at a musical instrument, or take a baking class.
3. Your local youth club or counselling centre.
Your local council will often have a youth club. Many of these clubs can give you access to staff, counsellors, or careers advisers to help you find ways to build skills that cater to your interests.
Headspace is a counselling service which supports young people aged 12 - 15. Their website offers resources for employment. Clinics across Australia give you access to counsellors who can give you career and education guidance as well as point out opportunities available in your local area.
How can young people find opportunities?
Did you know that
youth employment is still a HUGE problem in Australia? And with the current pandemic, employment for young people has been impacted the most. A whopping
400 million young people are missing out on opportunities in education and employment. This is why it's always important to know where to find opportunities to enhance your skills.
Here are a few places where you can find opportunities for yourself:
1. Consider taking up a traineeship or apprenticeship.
A traineeship or apprenticeship is a great way to get some hands-on experience in a job.
You'll get to develop your skills on the job and in some of these, you can also get paid! A traineeship or apprenticeship can also improve your employability. You'll have something extra to add to your CV!
2. Encourage training in the workplace.
![young people collaborating at work]()
Asking for training in the workplace is a great way to build your skillset while working. Workplace training has mutual benefits for both employers and employees alike. For employers, training can
improve efficiency, employee morale and organisational effectiveness. As an employee, you get to develop your skills and learn alongside your fellow colleagues.
3. Using youth employment services.
Youth employment services are a great way to receive support about employment.
They help you develop skills, confidence and resilience needed to find and work in a job. Youth employment services also have connections to potential employers and can assist you in finding work.
4. Studying a course that equips you with work-ready skills.
When people think of courses, their mind often flows straight to bachelor degrees at university. But you can also complete shorter courses such as certificates and diplomas that can give you work-ready skills,
helping you enter the workforce faster. As mentioned above, Upskilled offers courses in a variety of subjects to suit your interests. These courses can lead to a nationally-recognised qualification, helping you gain practical skills to heighten your employability prospects.
5. Networking online.
There are plenty of places online where you can network with like-minded people like yourself, as well as professionals in their field.
LinkedIn is a great easy to get connected with others with similar interests and career paths. You can even
follow and communicate with businesses and educational institutes. You can even chuck Upskilled a follow right now.
Keep up with the latest news on SkillsTalk
World Youth Skills Day is so important to ensure that young people are embarking on their education and career journeys. Want more great advice? Have a read of our yarns and blogs on
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Ashleigh Ho
Ashleigh (she/her) is a freelance writer with an interest in topics relating to being culturally and linguistically diverse and part of the LGBTQ+ community.
She is experienced in public relations, digital marketing and social media, and has worked within the arts, education and not-for-profit sectors.
Ashleigh is passionate about working with under-represented groups and looks forward to creating content that is inspiring and educational for all communities.