Youth Skills: The Whole Picture

"Youth gain the skills they need to lead productive lives, gain employment, and positively contribute to society."
- 2018 USAID Education Policy, key areas for programming and investment, Priority #3 

When it comes to young people, the term “skill building” is deceptively simple. On the surface, it might seem that “skills” directly relate to the abilities needed to perform a task or get a job. If there are available jobs in technology, for instance, skill building could mean teaching young people digital skills. But this is only part of the story.

At USAID, we consider skill building to be a holistic endeavor crucial for solving the problems of a constantly changing world. In recognition of UN-designated World Youth Skills Day, we share some of the critical resources that guide our teams and partners in supporting programming that gives young people the tools they need to gain employment, reach their potential, and become engaged in their communities. 

Youth Skills Resources

Six Links to Expand Your Knowledge 

1. USAID Youth in Development Policy
The 2022 USAID Youth in Development policy aims to increase the meaningful participation of youth within their peer groups, families, communities, schools, organizations, and their country’s economy. Youth engagement enhances skills, provides opportunities, and fosters healthy relationships so that youth can build on their collective leadership.

2. USAID Youth Workforce Development Learning Agenda
This learning agenda guides the generation of evidence to inform USAID education program strategic planning, activity design, and professional development related to youth workforce development.

3. USAID Higher Education Learning Agenda
This learning agenda defines Agency-wide learning priorities in higher education across sectors. It was developed collaboratively with more than 100 individuals from USAID Missions, USAID Washington, implementing partners, and other stakeholders. Its implementation generates evidence and resources that inform and improve the effectiveness of USAID strategic planning and programming, as well as improve knowledge and practice across the higher education ecosystem of USAID partners.

4. Policy Report: Social and Emotional Learning
This report examines how social and emotional learning (SEL) is understood, framed, and implemented at the classroom level. For more on SEL, check out: 

• Online Learning Module - Soft Skills Development in Youth Programming
• What We’re Learning in Social and Emotional Learning
• Integration of Social Emotional Learning into Basic Education: Findings from Eight Case Studies
• Best Practices on Effective SEL/Soft Skills Interventions in Distance Learning

5. What We’re Learning in Positive Youth Development
This blog is an introduction to Positive Youth Development (PYD) and a collection of resources on how to get started implementing a PYD approach. 

6. Higher Education Evidence Summit – Highlights and resources

Explore EducationLinks to find more ways to help the next generation move us forward in ways we have yet to imagine.