15 July: World Youth Skills Day

The World Youth Skills Day is observed globally on 15 July every year to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.
Significance of Day: Create more awareness on training and the development of skills for the youth of today. Create better employment opportunities for the youth.
2016 Theme: “Skills Development to Improve Youth Employment”.
On the occasion, United Nations had organised the event facilitated by the UN Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi. It was co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and Portugal to the UN along wth UNESCO and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Observances in India

• President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first edition of India Skills Competition on the occasion of World Youth Skill Day.
• The competition commemorate first anniversary of Union Ministry of Skill Development.
• Besides on this day in 2016, National Skill Development Mission was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create convergence across sectors and states in terms of skill training activities.

Background: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had established World Youth Skills Day in November 2014 to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2016