On the occasion of this year’s United Nations Youth Skills Day, CESI Youth stresses the importance of equipping young people with proper skills: The young generation needs the skills to enhance its employability and to cope with today´s complex world.

Not least in the context of the 2023 European Year of Skills, CESI Youth has been advocating for the rights and interests of young workers, highlighting the importance of trade unions to actively reach out to the young generation.

Against the backdrop of this year´s UN theme ‘Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future’, CESI Youth emphasizes that young people should be placed at the heart of the educational systems, not as mere receivers of educational plans to fill-in labour shortages.

CESI Youth supports the recommendation made by the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) to propose a completely new skills agenda with a focus on critical thinking, communication and green skills, empathy, economic education and entrepreneurship, and improved STEM and ICTs skills.

CESI Youth Representative, Matthäus Fandrejewski, said: ‘July 15th is an important day to underline trade unions´ crucial role in defending the rights and interests of workers, but also in actively supporting the young generation when entering the world of work. The young generation still faces major difficulties in accessing decent work. Through their advocacy, programs, and partnerships, trade unions play a vital role in empowering young workers to realize their full potential and to secure their wellbeing. In their own interest, young people must play a more prominent role in the EU´s decision-making processes. Joining a trade union is just one of the steps forward.’