In the next 10 years, over 1.2 billion youth from emerging economies, or at-risk countries, will be entering the labor market. The situation is a bit dire since estimates say only about 420 million new jobs will be created in that time span. The gap is plainly an opportunity for looking for new solutions that hopefully will create jobs at scale and provide youth with the skills to work in an environment that is rapidly changing.

The expert’s opinion from the recent World Bank event was that Frederico Gil Sander and Henriette Kolb responded to the urgency for fostering government and private sector cooperation to bridge the gap. While governments should be making improvements in infrastructure capacity (making sure that at minimum there is access to the internet and electricity, in addition to getting a grasp on increasing the productivity of the education system), they should also be looking at the schools, developing not only technical skills like select trades but also communication, teamwork, and agility skills, which are requested skills in the present labor market. Moreover, the funding must be stepped up to ensure that youth are getting digital skills development, particularly given that a very small percentage of young people in developing economies have access to get basic ICT training, which is nearly 10 percent.

In rural areas, agribusiness and food processing may also be substantial employment engines, which means that job opportunities can extend beyond the big cities. The most significant solution is start-up initiatives; the core suggestions from both experts are improving training access, investment, and mentor guidance for young people. Digital marketing access is critical for youth to start a business, so online platforms and intensive courses can benefit youth by developing their skills to be competitive and giving them more cost-effectiveness.

In the end, the versatile approach is needed to close youth job gaps, and the government should provide a proper environment and initiate businesses and responsible funding without taking away opportunities for the next generation of people. It will grow as part of education and a broad spectrum of possibilities towards inclusive growth.