The future of work is here, and it’s evolving at a rapid pace. With the accelerating impact of digital transformation, automation, and emerging technologies, the job landscape in Kenya and across the globe is changing dramatically. To thrive in this new era, young people must be equipped with a diverse and adaptable skillset that can carry them through an uncertain but exciting future.
This year’s International Youth Day theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development“, emphasizes the critical role digital skills and technologies will play in empowering youth to create sustainable livelihoods and drive progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. While technical digital skills are essential, mastering a broad range of competencies will be the key to unlocking sustainable career success.
On this International Youth Day here are some must-have skills for all youth:
Understanding AI fundamentals
By embracing AI literacy, youth position themselves at the forefront of technology innovation, driving economic growth and solving complex challenges in their communities and beyond. This knowledge will shape the future ensuring young people globally are not only consumers of AI technology but active creators and decision-makers in its development and deployment.
Adaptability and Lifelong Learning
With the pace of change accelerating, the ability to continuously acquire new skills and adapt to evolving job environments will be invaluable. Young people must develop a mindset of curiosity and openness to upskilling throughout their careers.
Problem-solving and Critical Thinking
As automation takes over more routine tasks, a new emphasis will be on ‘human skills‘ like creativity and analytical thinking. Fostering these cognitive capabilities will be key to the future of work success.
Digital Fluency
Proficiency with various digital tools and technologies – ranging from productivity software to data analytics – will be of the utmost importance. Going beyond technical mastery,
However, young people should also understand how to leverage digital solutions to drive innovation.
Collaboration and Communication
The ability to work effectively in teams, communicate ideas persuasively, and build relationships will complement acquired technical know-how. As workplaces become more distributed these “soft” skills will become even more essential.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
With the rise of the gig economy, cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit – creativity, and resourcefulness to identify opportunities and create opportunities – will be a major asset for today’s youth.
Through developing this powerful combination of skills, Kenya’s youth can future-proof themselves and capitalize on the evolving job market, whether pursuing traditional employment or creating paths as entrepreneurs and innovators.
As we embrace the ‘From Clicks to Progress’ mindset of this year’s International Youth Day, the Next Step Foundation remains committed to leveraging the power of technology to train and upskill marginalized communities, particularly people with disabilities and young women, empowering them to fully participate in the new digital economy. It is our hope that young people everywhere remain empowered to lead the way toward a sustainable, technology-driven future.
