In only a few months, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted livelihoods for millions of young people worldwide. The ILO estimates that more than one in six young people have now stopped working due to the pandemic. Education and training opportunities for youth have also been interrupted, creating long-term implications for post-COVID recovery.
As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, it’s important to highlight the role digital technologies can play to mitigate the effects of the crisis on youth. Digital platforms are enabling students to pursue online learning, entrepreneurs to engage in e-commerce, and workers to earn income through online freelancing and microwork. These remote opportunities are particularly beneficial for young women and other vulnerable youth who have been disproportionately affected by the crisis.
Governments and businesses are now increasing their investments in digital skills development to ensure that youth can leverage online education and employment opportunities. Microsoft has launched a new initiative to help 25 million people worldwide to acquire new skills for a COVID-19 economy. The African Development Bank’s Coding for Employment e-learning platform was launched in 2019 to equip African youth with advanced digital skills. Since the start of the pandemic, the number of users has increased by almost 50%.
To succeed on a large scale, digital skills training programs must collaborate with stakeholders across a variety of sectors. The recent Click-On Kaduna pilot demonstrates how governments can successfully work with private sector partners to empower youth with the skills they need to thrive during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.