World Youth Skills Day 2025: Why Skill-Based Education Still Matters in the Age of AI

World Youth Skills Day 2025 is being observed at a time when artificial intelligence, automation, and rapid tech innovation dominate conversations about the future of work. Yet, even amid all the hype around AI and automation, skill-based education continues to be the backbone of real-world employment. Be it plumbing, nursing, carpentry, design, or coding — practical, job-ready skills are still in high demand. This day serves as a reminder that while technology will shape the future, it is skilled human hands and minds that will still run the world.

I chose to write about this topic because I believe we’re at a critical point where education, employment, and technology are deeply intertwined. Many students are confused between choosing traditional degrees and hands-on skill-based learning. With AI taking over certain job roles and automating others, it’s more important than ever to focus on building competencies that machines can’t easily replace — like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and hands-on skills. On World Youth Skills Day, the focus must not just be on awareness but also on action — both from students and the education system.

Why Skill-Based Education Still Matters in 2025

1. Machines Can’t Replace All Skills

While AI can analyse data or write basic code, it cannot replace electricians fixing a circuit, nurses caring for patients, or chefs preparing meals. Jobs that require physical presence and direct engagement with people are hard to automate. That’s why vocational skills and practical training must remain a core part of our education system.

2. Industry Demands Are Changing Fast

Companies are no longer only asking for degrees. They want employees who can solve real problems, adapt quickly, and have hands-on experience. A certificate from a skilling programme often weighs more than a generic college degree today. Employers want workers who can get started from day one — and that’s where skill-based learning wins.

3. Not Everyone Needs a Tech Job

There’s a perception that everyone needs to become a data scientist or software developer. But India’s economy still relies on a wide range of sectors — agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and construction. These fields need trained workers, not necessarily people with engineering or business degrees.

4. Entrepreneurship Starts with Skills

From local chai shops to successful online brands, every entrepreneur starts with a skill. Whether it’s tailoring, photography, or app development — skill is the first step to independence. With schemes like Skill India and PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana, young Indians now have more access to structured training than ever before.

5. AI Works With Skilled People, Not Instead of Them

AI tools will definitely change how work is done. But they still need people who can use them well. For example, an AI system can guide a doctor, but it cannot perform surgery. A smart tool can assist an architect, but not build a house. Skills and AI are not in conflict — they are teammates.

Government Efforts and Youth Involvement

The Indian government has increased focus on vocational education, skill development missions, and internship opportunities for students. Institutions like the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation), and even private ed-tech platforms are playing a key role.

Moreover, World Youth Skills Day events are being conducted in schools and colleges across India to create awareness about career paths beyond traditional degrees. Students are encouraged to take up internships, short courses, and certification programmes to stay job-ready.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.