Rose Mabiza

14-07-2023

World Youth Skills Day 2025: Empowering youth through AI

Image by halfpoint via Envato Elements

World Youth Skills Day 2025: Empowering the next generation through AI and digital skills

Every year on 15 July, we mark World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) - a global observance that recognises the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. In 2025, the theme is particularly timely and transformative: “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills.” As technology rapidly reshapes industries, economies, and education, this year's theme highlights a pressing priority: preparing today’s youth not just to adapt to change, but to lead it.

In this blog, we explore the significance of World Youth Skills Day 2025, define the key elements of this year’s theme, and examine how highly regulated sectors, such as health and social care, education, and finance, can foster youth empowerment by investing in future-proof digital competencies.

Why World Youth Skills Day matters

World Youth Skills Day was established by the United Nations in 2014 to raise awareness of the challenges young people face in accessing employment and to promote initiatives that enhance their skills and competencies. Today, it has become a pivotal moment in the global calendar, especially as we navigate the disruptive changes brought about by automation, climate change, AI, and evolving labour markets.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults. For many, the barriers are not just about job scarcity, but a mismatch between the skills they possess and those demanded by modern workplaces.

That’s why World Youth Skills Day isn’t just symbolic - it’s a call to action for governments, educators, employers, and training providers to align efforts and build youth capabilities in high-demand, future-ready skills.

2025 theme - ‘’Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills’’

The 2025 WYSD theme - ‘’Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills’’ - is both aspirational and urgent. It acknowledges that Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, automation, and digital tools are fundamentally reshaping the world of work. For young people, this presents an opportunity and a challenge.

Defining AI and digital skills

To truly understand the impact of this year’s theme, it’s essential to unpack what we mean by AI and digital skills - terms that are often used interchangeably but cover distinct and complementary areas of capability.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) - refers to the simulation of human intelligence by machines, especially computer systems. It includes learning (acquiring information and rules for using it), reasoning, and self-correction.
• Digital skills - encompass a broad spectrum of competencies, from basic digital literacy (e.g., using email, apps, and browsers) to advanced abilities like coding, data analysis, digital marketing, cybersecurity, and AI development.

These are no longer niche skillsets - they are essential capabilities for navigating nearly every modern career path.

Practical implications for regulated sectors

Highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, social care, education, construction, and finance have a unique opportunity - and responsibility - to support digital upskilling among youth. These sectors face complex compliance requirements, tight workforce pipelines, and rapidly evolving technologies. Investing in young talent with AI and digital skills can solve workforce shortages while future-proofing services.

1. Bridging the digital skills gap

The UK faces a significant digital skills shortage, particularly in areas such as data security, digital compliance, and intelligent systems. For example:

• In healthcare, AI is improving diagnostic tools, patient care pathways, and medical records management. Digital competence is essential at every level - from administrative roles to clinical staff.
• In education, AI-powered tools are reshaping how we deliver personalised learning, assess progress, and manage safeguarding and compliance.
• In social care, smart sensors, automated alerts, and digital platforms streamline care planning, documentation, and oversight. Providers need staff who are confident in using these technologies safely and ethically.

By actively supporting youth entry into these fields and equipping them with relevant digital training, organisations can close the gap between innovation and implementation.

2. Embedding digital skills into vocational training

Regulated sectors often rely on mandatory or vocational training to meet legislative standards (such as CQC, Ofsted, or HSE requirements). Integrating AI and digital literacy into core training programmes can expand their value significantly.

At The Mandatory Training Group, we already see forward-thinking providers combining essential training (e.g., safeguarding, first aid, or data protection) with digital modules that build transferable skills such as:

• Navigating digital systems (e.g., Learning Management Systems, electronic care planning tools)
• Data protection and ethical use of AI
• Cybersecurity awareness
• Digital communication and collaboration.

This dual-skilling approach not only ensures regulatory compliance but also prepares young people for long-term career success in the sector.

3. Championing youth-led innovation

Empowering young workers with AI skills isn’t just about training - it’s about inviting them into problem-solving conversations. Young people bring fresh perspectives and digital fluency that can drive innovation in areas like:

• Process automation
• Service delivery improvements
• Data visualisation and compliance dashboards
• Risk prediction through machine learning.

When supported by strong digital governance, this innovation can transform legacy systems and reduce human error, both of which are critical in high-risk environments like care, education, and public services.

Building an empowerment ecosystem

Youth empowerment doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires collaboration between employers, training providers, policymakers, and communities. Here are five actionable ways regulated organisations can take the lead this WYSD:

1. Offer digital apprenticeships and internships

Create opportunities for young people to gain work experience while developing digital and AI skills in real-world environments.

2. Partner with training providers

Work with accredited providers like The Mandatory Training Group to design blended learning pathways that integrate digital skills into compliance training frameworks.

3. Embed digital skills in onboarding

Ensure that induction and statutory training includes modules on cyber safety, data management, and the safe use of tech in sector-specific contexts.

4. Foster digital champions

Support young employees to become ‘digital champions’ - ambassadors who mentor peers and help implement new systems.

5. Engage in awareness campaigns

Use moments like World Youth Skills Day to launch internal campaigns that celebrate digital learning, share success stories, and raise awareness of youth initiatives.

Why this matters for your organisation

Beyond social responsibility, empowering young people through AI and digital training directly benefits your organisation. It enhances:

• Workforce resilience in the face of tech disruption.
• Service quality through more efficient, error-reduced systems.
• Regulatory compliance with digital evidence trails and automated alerts.
• Staff retention can be achieved by offering relevant, forward-looking training pathways.

The cost of not investing in youth skills is much higher than the cost of change. Talent gaps widen, innovation slows, and compliance risks multiply.

Your next steps - Build skills, bridge gaps, empower youth

World Youth Skills Day 2025 is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a powerful reminder that investing in digital and AI skills today is key to unlocking opportunity, innovation, and equity for the next generation.

As you reflect on your organisation’s role, ask yourself:

• Are we equipping young people with the right digital skills for our sector?
• Are our training pathways inclusive, accessible, and future-focused?
• Are we using the right tools to support ethical, compliant digital transformation?

At The Mandatory Training Group, awareness is just the beginning. We help organisations turn intention into action - with practical training programmes, policy support, and our digital platform, ComplyPlus™, to embed compliance, learning, and innovation into everyday practice.

Together, let’s build a future where young people are skilled, supported, and empowered to lead.

Last updated on 15-07-2025

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