CompTIA Spark joins the United Nations (U.N.) and organizations and educators around the world to mark World Youth Skills Day, and highlight in particular the importance of access to technology curriculum that increases digital fluency and creates a foundation for student success.

Observed on July 15 each year since 2014, World Youth Skills Day is designated by the U.N. as a way to bring greater awareness of the importance of technical and vocational education and training, as well as the development of other skills relevant to both local and global economies. 

“Today, and every day, let’s work to transform education. And let’s ensure that youth have what they need to build skills for shaping a more peaceful, sustainable future for all,” says U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.

The theme for 2024 is “Youth Skills for Peace and Development.” This year’s event, which will take place at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City, will feature sessions that reflect technology education’s role in young people’s lives, such as “AI Skills for the Future of Work.”

“The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across various industries is transforming the landscape of work,” according to the U.N.’s website.  “To prepare youth for the jobs of the future, it is crucial to equip them with the necessary AI skills.”

Ensuring students have access to technology education before they reach high school is the goal of CompTIA Spark, and the need to fill this gap is why the nonprofit organization has developed and recently launched free in-school technology curriculum for middle schools in the United States. Across the country, there is a new focus on career technical education (CTE) at the middle grade level and ensuring students gain technology skills and confidence so they can pursue a variety of career pathways. It is now well-recognized that middle school is not too early for introducing CTE curriculum, including technology topics that build foundational skills.  of the CompTIA Spark curriculum breaks down simple AI concepts so that students can understand not only how it works, but how it can be applied in the real world. 

Economic, environmental and social landscapes are continually–and rapidly–evolving, and from AI to cybersecurity, the nation and the entire world depend on a future workforce that has the skills and confidence to run the technology that powers them.

Why is World Youth Skills Day important?

In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared 15 July as World Youth Skills Day, to celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. Since then, World Youth Skills Day events have provided a unique opportunity for dialogue between young people, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, firms, employers’ and workers’ organizations, policy makers and development partners. Participants have highlighted the ever-increasing significance of skills as the world is embarking on a transition towards a sustainable model of development.

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Related CompTIA Spark content:

CompTIA’s commitment to the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy includes resources for tech businesses and education for middle school students

MJ Shoer has big ambitions to close the tech workforce gap as new CEO of CompTIA Spark

CompTIA Spark Curriculum: AI Doesn’t Have to Be Hard—or Scary

Why Middle Schoolers Don’t Pursue Technology Education—And How We Can Fix it

The Power of Digital Fluency for Middle School Students

Related resources:

World Youth Skills Day 2024 (United Nations)

World Youth Skills Day (UNESCO-UNEVOC)

WorldSkills and UNESCO-UNEVOC have teamed up to celebrate World Youth Skills Day 2024