In a world that is rapidly being transformed by AI, automation, and green innovation, the future of work will not only be driven by technology but also steered by human capabilities. The first step towards this future is to equip the youth with skills that empower, inspire, and sustain.
The next generation technologies are not just a feature, they form the very foundation for the future. The world will be dominated by those who can learn, unlearn, and adapt swiftly. This is a core message of World Youth Skill Day. The focus is not just on upskilling but creating an AI-literate workforce that is prepared for the future. With a majority of employees now certified in AI, fluency in this technology is fast becoming a core competency.
A Decade of Evolution: Preparing for the Future
As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day, we are reminded of the pivotal role of skill-building in an evolving work environment. This year’s theme, ‘Empowering Youth with AI and Digital Skills,’ echoes the global need to ready the next generation for a world where automation, artificial intelligence, and climate demands are redefining employability.
The New HR Mandate: Skills-First Approach
World Youth Skills Day 2025 is a wake-up call to redefine employee development from a human resources and strategic point of view. Leading organizations are incorporating skill-first principles into hiring, performance evaluation, and learning design. AI-powered upskilling platforms are helping companies identify skill gaps in real-time and tie learning to long-term career growth.
Arvind Raj, Chief Human Resources Officer at Mindsprint, encapsulates this fresh mandate: ‘At Mindsprint, we are already working on building capabilities for the future, with AI fluency being the baseline. Now, startups worldwide are hiring youth not just to use AI tools but to influence their evolution and application in solving real-world problems.’
A Deeper Perspective: Sanju Ballurkar, President, Experis
Sanju Ballurkar, President of Experis (ManpowerGroup India), underscores a more profound perspective:
The Path Forward
The future will be shaped by those who can adapt to and harness the power of AI and digital skills. As we mark World Youth Skills Day, it’s a timely reminder that upskilling and empowering our youth is not just necessary—it’s imperative. We need to cultivate an AI-literate workforce that can navigate the challenges of tomorrow and drive a tech-powered, human-led future.
Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Let’s empower them with the AI and digital skills they need to lead the future workforce. The first step in this journey is to recognize the importance of these skills and take proactive steps to incorporate them into our learning and development programs. The future is here, and it’s time for us to prepare our youth to lead it.
Originally published on https://www.bwpeople.in/article/empowering-youth-with-ai-and-digital-skills-for-tomorrows-workforce-563505
