SAP and UNICEF to Provide Job Skills to Young People
Software company SAP and UNICEF announced Wednesday (September 25) a new global partnership to provide quality education, life skills, and job skills training to young people in disadvantaged communities, preparing them for decent work and active citizenship.
Announced at an event taking place at the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the three-year partnership will bring together businesses, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to build sustainable education models.
The partnership will focus on workforce inclusion initiatives to help young people thrive, and provide organizations with a prepared workforce.
The partnership will look to develop a standardized national curriculum, workforce readiness programs, and in-depth research to better inform and connect the private sector with future talent.
According to UNICEF, more than 1 in 5 young people today are neither in employment, education, or training. Many more are not learning the skills they need to seek decent employment, as today’s rapidly changing economy demands increasingly specialized skills.
“For young people, the path to a successful future goes through quality education that equips them – and empowers them – with the skills they need to thrive in today’s workforce,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “Young people are some of the world’s best creatives, enthusiasts, and thinkers. We are excited to work with SAP to harness young people’s energy and ideas, and help them contribute to their economies and societies.”
By 2030, companies and communities throughout the world need to be ready to sustainably integrate 2 billion young people seeking employment into the workforce.
The collaboration will help reach young people across Africa, Asia, and Europe, with initial efforts focused on India, Turkey, and Viet Nam. It forms part of Generation Unlimited, the global partnership working to prepare young people to become engaged and productive citizens.
Launched one year ago, Generation Unlimited convenes multi-sector public and private investment in education and employment of youth, while engaging young people in these efforts.
