Preparing youth for the world of work for a brighter economic future

Fewer Thai youth have jobs than a decade ago, according to a Youth Employability Scoping Study Report by Thailand Development Research Institute, commissioned by UNICEF with technical support from the ILO. In the face of an ageing population and disruptive technology, not to mention a pandemic, Thailand will need to equip all young people with skills to participate productively in tomorrow’s economy.

The report maps the employability landscape for youth aged 15-24 in Thailand. Through conversations with businesses and youth themselves, the study aims to fill in the gaps in our understanding of the labour market challenges facing youth, particularly disadvantaged youth, and the key role public-private partnerships can play in linking all youth to the world of work.

“The report findings come at a critical time when the unprecedented economic impact of COVID-19 is expected to hit young people harder, who are at a higher risk of unemployment and precarious employment than adults. In addition to building a more inclusive social protection system for all, ensuring that young people can gain access to decent jobs will help ensure their access to some form of social protection, now more important than ever,” said Beena Kuttiparambil, Chief of Adolescent Development and Participation at UNICEF Thailand.

At 4.9 per cent, the youth unemployment rate is seven times higher compared to the total population. Some young people are simply staying longer at school more than ever before, but many are leaving education behind for low-skilled jobs, many of which were the first to go during the COVID-19 pandemic and will become redundant as technology transforms the job landscape for 3.45 million agricultural, manufacturing, wholesale and retail workers in Thailand.