Ready for the Global Workforce

The Ready for the Global Workforce track explores young peoples’ preparation for, access to, and participation in the formal economy. The track is focused on: 1) the impact of a changing workforce on young people (e.g., the skills gap, automation, digital disruption, decentralization of employment, new and emerging industries of opportunity); 2) rural economies and agriculture (e.g., changing agri-business, youth access to land, finance, training, the impact of climate change and youth responses); 3) employer engagement, including strategies for work readiness and demand-driven training, talent acquisition, retention, work-based learning and mentorship, and effective private sector partnerships. This year we consider these questions against the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the global economy now, and in the future.

The track includes a cross-cutting focus on topics such as youth engagement, gender, partnerships, a healthy workforce, technology, systems change, and policy.