In line with WSIS Action Line 4, the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth aims to increase the effectiveness of education and training systems and provide both young people and teachers with relevant, transferable digital skills, in particular by introducing computational thinking and coding into school curriculum. As outlined in WSIS Action Line 4, capacity building and ICT literacy are essential if we want everyone to benefit from the Information Society. The Global Initiative also aims at empowering local communities, with particular advantages for youth and women, through the promotion of programmes for the development of highly valuable digital skills, reflecting WSIS Action Line 4. In the same sense, it also promotes the development of innovative, rapid skills development programmes that focus on digital skills for employability.

The increased presence of ICTs in work environments is also intended as a means to achieve more sustainable environments for workers, foster job creation and address the current youth employment crisis, in line with WSIS Action Line 7.

Digital skills (advanced, basic and soft skills) are increasingly needed for nearly all jobs and professional careers. Providing young women and men with relevant, transferable, job-relevant digital skills is thus in line with SDG 4.3 which calls for equal access for women and men to affordable and relevant education and SDG 4.4 which calls for increasing the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment.

SDGs 5.5 and 5.b are addressed through improving digital skills for young women and men alike, including activities to attract more women to develop advanced digital skills.

Considering the number and quality of jobs available for young people with digital skills, the project discussed in the session will foster job creation and address the current youth employment crisis in line with SDGs 8.5 and 8.6.