With the ever-changing labour market dynamics, young people in the Commonwealth should have the relevant skills that respond to the needs of the day in the 21st Century. These include digital skills, problem-solving, and data interpretation, education experts have indicated. But, some young people have voiced concerns that the cost of education may be high-priced, calling for government’s greater support to access the needed skills. This was shared on June 20, 2022 at the Commonwealth Youth Forum, in Kigali, during which a panel titled “The Economic Imperative: Skills Development for 21st Century Job” was held. Kim Allen from Papua New Guinea who is Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council, told Career & Skills that the Covid-19 pandemic left so many youth unemployed in the tourism sector. He pointed out that there is a need for skills development and training in areas such as IT, and computer software, but also financially supporting young people’s businesses to thrive. “The world is progressing at a faster rate in terms of innovation, technology, and internet access. But at the same time, there are some people who do not access these opportunities because they cannot afford the cost based on their family situation, or economical background,” he said. Professor Asha Singh Kanwar, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning, said that people with employable skills will be individuals who can add value beyond what can be done by automated systems (such as empathy), who work efficiently in a digital environment, and who can demonstrate resilience to adapt to new ways of working and new occupations, such as those that have been required during the Covid-19 pandemic. She said that one study was carried out asking employers what would be the skills required for work five years down the line. But, because of the phenomenal changes in technology, the pandemic and global instability, they couldn’t say what those jobs (skills) would be. She went on to say that estimates suggest that by the middle of this decade, 85 million jobs may disappear, and 97 new million jobs may come up. With all this confusion, she said, it is proposed that the youth be equipped with three literacies that will prepare them for these uncertainties. The first is human literacy which prepares students for jobs that only human beings can do, which she said will help them to make ethical choices, and equip them for social engagement through effective communications. “The second literacy would be data literacy which is essential in a world driven by data, and learners must be able to find meaning in the flood of information around us and the fake news and all kinds of stuff that goes on,” she observed. For the third, she pointed out that “technological literacy is essential if we are to understand machines and their uses”, indicating that learners must be able to deploy software and hardware in order to maximise their potential to achieve and create. “Let me add the fourth, which is climate literacy. Youth can be the champions to transform behaviours and promote environmental conservation among their peers, families and communities,” she remarked. Making education affordable for all Jacob Eyeru, Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Uganda, said that unemployment is the biggest concern for the youth in the Commonwealth and the world over, pointing that the Heads of Government should focus on how to change the skilling type in the Commonwealth to meet the dynamic situation of the job market today. He said the other thing that needs to be worked on in terms of skilling the youth is the education cost, observing that 80 per cent of the organisation’s members are developing countries. “The young people that are going to school should be able to get a lot of help in trying to get those avenues. So, in that sense, free education becomes very important,” he said. Roshanna Trim, President of Barbados Youth Development Council, told Career & Skills that there was the need to educate people to be technology literate, and being innovative and adaptable in the labour market. She said that governments should invest in free education for the young people, especially those from vulnerable families, so that they get the required skills and use their youthful force to develop their nations. Samuel Munkundire, head of agribusiness operations at Hill Farm, a firm located in Kirehe District, told Career & Skills that learning is a continuous process as there are new technologies or needs that emerge as time goes by, but noted that they are not affordable to some. However, he said that the major concern currently is lack of investments to support young people’s businesses. “We have to contribute to the economy of the Commonwealth and we are ready to do so, but they (Heads of Commonwealth Governments) should look for ways to address the lack of financing for the youth’s ventures. We don’t have collateral,” Munkundire said.
