Skilling The Youth Ecosystem - Can It Be an Antidote to Society's Overstretched Job Scenario?

International Youth Day is celebrated annually on August 12 to bring youth issues to the focus of the international community and to celebrate the potential of youth as active partners in the global society. In this article, Dr Livleen K Kahlon expounds on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and feels that we need to act now to catch the ‘potential workforce’ at an early age and equip them with soft skills and technical expertise so that once they step out of their formal education stage they are able to earn their living. Avenues are to be created to match the skills of every youth and some of these areas are being addressed by the NEP.

- Dr Livleen K Kahlon

The population of youth in India is considered as a demographic dividend, but will this status last forever? By the year 2036, population in India will not be that young as it is today. As compared with the scenario of 2011, the Indian population below 24 years will see a 15-per cent dip. The median age will also jump by almost 10 years, touching 35 years, by 2036. Within the country, certain states such as Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu will have a higher median age in comparison with the national average. This diverse age range will pose problems since policies will have to be aligned keeping in mind regional variations. We are losing out on time, and it is extremely essential that we mainstream our youth dividend into ‘meaningful’ work opportunities.

Demystifying NEP