M Rashid Tabassum
EVERY year on 15 July, the world marks World Youth Skills Day to highlight the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed for employment, entrepreneurship and the future of work. The 2026 theme, “Skills for a Better Shared Future,” reflects a changing global reality: technical knowledge alone is no longer enough. Alongside digital and vocational expertise, young people also need communication, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills to succeed in an increasingly complex world.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is accelerating this transformation through artificial intelligence, automation and digital technologies. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, nearly 39 percent of workers’ core skills will change by 2030. As a result, countries around the world are redesigning their education systems to place greater emphasis on practical skills alongside academic qualifications.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan continues to face a widening gap between education and employability. Pakistan now has 244 public and private chartered universities producing roughly 445,000 graduates annually. Yet this expanding higher education system has not translated into better employment outcomes, as many graduates struggle to find jobs that match their qualifications. The skills gap is particularly evident in engineering and information technology. Around 25,000 engineering and IT graduates enter the job market each year, but only 20 percent meet industry standards, according to sector estimates. Similarly, research by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) shows that 31 percent of university graduates remain unemployed, largely because they lack market-relevant skills. These figures point to a deeper problem: the education system continues to reward rote learning over practical competence.
Students often complete their degrees with limited exposure to real-world work. Schools, colleges and universities provide a few opportunities for hands-on training, while weak collaboration between educational institutions and industry prevents curricula from keeping pace with changing technologies. Consequently, many graduates are unprepared for the demands of modern workplaces.
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence has made this challenge even more pressing. According to UNESCO, 62 percent of young people use AI tools, yet only 30 percent have received formal AI training. While learning to use technology is important, understanding how to apply it responsibly and effectively is even more critical. At the same time, AI cannot replace uniquely human abilities. Critical thinking, creativity, communication, leadership, teamwork and emotional intelligence remain among the most valuable skills in today’s labour market. The 2026 World Youth Skills Day theme also highlights green skills and responsible citizenship, encouraging young people to contribute to sustainable development and climate resilience.
Pakistan must, therefore, rethink its approach to education. Skill-based learning should begin at the primary level, combining digital literacy with practical life skills. Technical and vocational education should become a national priority. Every district should have access to modern skills development centres, universities need advanced AI laboratories and stronger partnerships between industry and academia must ensure graduates are prepared for real jobs. Continuous teacher training and effective career guidance are equally essential.
Ultimately, Pakistan’s youth are its greatest national asset. Their potential can only be realized through an education system that prepares them for the future rather than the past. In the twenty-first century, nations compete not only through economic strength but through innovation, creativity and skills. Degrees may open classroom doors, but skills open the doors to opportunity, innovation and national prosperity.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
