Although they are considered “digital natives”, many young people do not have advanced digital skills. This is most often the case with unemployed vulnerable young people who need these skills the most. That’s why youth work should proactively respond to these needs and help young people master the necessary knowledge and keep pace with the labour market.

Back in 2003, while working as a youth worker in a youth club in the town of Travnik in central Bosnia, I realized how empowering digital skills can be for unemployed youth. I was working with a group of young high school graduates who were struggling to find work due to a lack of skills and experience. They had limited access to new technologies and had never received any formal training in digital skills.

In our youth club we had a couple of computers with Wi-Fi connection and from there we started to solve this problem. I helped them gain a basic understanding of word processing, e-mail, and Internet navigation. As they developed their skills and built their online presence, they became much more confident and felt ready to dive into the world of work: they could search and apply for jobs online and communicate with potential employers via email.

TWENTY YEARS LATER

Twenty years later, with the rapid growth and importance of digital technology, the need for digital skills is much greater. The digital economy is rapidly transforming the employment landscape across all industries as millions of jobs are created that require advanced digital skills, the possession of which can be a game-changer for unemployed young people more than ever before.

What I did twenty years ago was improvisational and basic, but it showed that youth work programs can be very effective in developing digital skills in young people. Digital skills are becoming increasingly important in our rapidly advancing technological society, and youth work programs that prioritize digital literacy can help young people gain the skills they need to succeed in the job market and in their personal lives. In addition, digital skills can help young people to engage in entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities, and to participate more fully in their communities and civic life.

So how to set up a youth work program that focuses on providing digital skills training to the unemployed youth? Unlike what I did, it requires careful planning and consideration of the needs and interests of the target audience.

THE TARGET AUDIENCE

First of all, you should identify your target audience – determine the age, skill level and interests of the young people you want to work with. This will help you develop a program that meets their specific needs. Next, create a curriculum. Design a curriculum that incorporates a range of digital skills, such as coding, digital marketing, graphic design, and social media management. Ensure that the curriculum is tailored to the skill level and interests of your target audience.

Funding is of crucial importance for the program so you should seek funding from government programs, corporate sponsors or other organizations that support youth development and job training initiatives. This will enable you to employ qualified trainers with experience and expertise in digital skills training. They should be able to deliver the curriculum effectively and provide one-to-one support to participants as needed. The funds will also provide access to technology. You will want to ensure that the youth club is equipped with the necessary hardware and software for digital skills training. This can include computers, tablets, software licenses and internet access.

Once developed, the program should, of course, be promoted. Develop a marketing plan to raise awareness of the program and attract participants. Use social media, flyers, and other marketing channels to reach potential attendees. Monitor and evaluate the program, which means that you should regularly assess the effectiveness of the program to ensure that it is meeting the needs of the participants. Use feedback from participants to adjust curriculum and training methods.

SOME EXAMPLES

Making youth fit for the digital age is the Spanish program supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) that provide training for 16–30-year-olds that offer young people a possibility to master ICT skills necessary for the digital work environment. Making Youth Fit for the Digital Age had over 260 courses to choose from and trained over 3 300 young people, helping them succeed in their work life.

Code Club Ireland is a grassroots program that provides digital and coding skills training to young people across Ireland. The program is run by volunteers who are passionate about technology, and it is offered free of charge to participants. Similarly, Coder Dojo Belgium is a youth club program that provides coding and digital skills training to children and young people in Belgium. The program is run by volunteers, and lessons are offered free of charge to participants. By providing free and accessible coding education, the organization is helping to bridge the digital divide and create a more inclusive and innovative society.                              

These examples illustrate that, if planned and executed properly, youth work programs can play a key role in social inclusion of young people. By following best practices for integrating digital skills development into youth work programs, we can help to ensure that the new generation of young people has confidence, skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s and tomorrow’s digital economy.