EU Code Week: Skilling youth for a transformative future 

Publication date: July 14, 2023

Every year on 15 July, World Youth Skills Day emphasises the strategic importance of equipping young people with the necessary skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship.

This year, the theme is “Skilling teachers, trainers and youth for a transformative future,” highlighting the vital role of educators in preparing youth to transition into the labour market and actively engage in their communities.

These goals are perfectly aligned with those of EU Code Week, which is working empower young people with the computational skills needed for a transformative future. 

Since its establishment in 2014, “World Youth Skills Day” has played a pivotal role in recognising the importance of skill development in young people.

Moreover, it has fostered dialogue between various stakeholders, including young individuals, technical and vocational education and training institutions, employers, policy makers, and development partners. The celebrations have underscored the growing significance of skills as we embark on a journey toward sustainable development. 

Education and training are central to achieving the 2030 Agenda. Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, particularly emphasises technical and vocational skills development.

TVET plays a crucial role in providing affordable and quality education, equipping individuals with technical and vocational skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. In addition, it focuses on eliminating gender disparities, ensuring access for vulnerable populations and supporting the transition to green economies and environmental sustainability.

Perfectly aligned with EU Code Week 

EU Code Week perfectly aligns with the goals of World Youth Skills Day by emphasising the development of computational skills among young people.

By organising various coding events, workshops, and initiatives throughout Europe, Code Week equips youth with the essential skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Here’s how EU Code Week supports the transformative future envisioned by World Youth Skills Day: 

• Reducing access barriers: EU Code Week initiatives aim to reduce access barriers to the world of work by promoting digital literacy. As well as providing opportunities for young individuals to engage with coding and programming. 

• Relevant and recognised skills: EU Code Week focuses on providing skills that are relevant to the evolving labour market. By emphasising computational thinking, coding, and problem-solving abilities, Code Week equips youth with skills that are in high demand across various industries. 

• Embracing diversity and inclusion: EU Code Week emphasises inclusivity and aims to bridge the gender gap in tech by encouraging the participation of girls and underrepresented groups.  

As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day and its theme of skilling teachers, trainers, and youth for a transformative future, EU Code Week stands as a significant ally in shaping the skill development landscape. By focusing on computational skills, EU Code Week empowers young people with the tools necessary to succeed in an ever-evolving digital world.