This post seeks to examine the skills development agenda for youth by exploring two key questions for sustainable livelihoods: What are the skills needed for employability in developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia? And, what skills are currently possessed by students and secondary school leavers? An introductory post later on will set the stage for the discussion and analysis to follow by reviewing in broad terms the current research on relevant topics such as global youth unemployment, the relationship between skills and economic growth, and the expansion of secondary education. The following posts will help synthesize a series of background studies focused on Africa, including both a general overview and an in-depth look at several communes and countries. They will introduce innovative models for skills delivery and highlight some of the key elements of successful skills models, including multi-stakeholder partnerships, updated pedagogy, and innovative financing mechanisms. Each of the blogs core ideas will open a discussion for Many Many Beginnings in Sierra Leone, with the support of case studies to illustrate successes, challenges, and lessons in our real-world examples.
