GBC-Education’s State of US Cities and Youth Skills Report is the foundation for our Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator. In the report, we identify ten standards for a skills-friendly city. These standards can be used by youth-serving organizations working to prepare young people to enter the workforce. Read about these standards below.
Youth are engaged and involved in efforts related to their future, especially in closing the skills and employment gaps.
There is a commitment to identifying, monitoring, and targeting underserved youth with opportunities for skills and employment.
Local education systems are equitable, accessible, and sufficiently resourced.
Clear pathways exist in the city at the high school and post-secondary level.
The curriculum has an explicit focus on 4IR skills (workforce readiness, soft skills, technical skills, entrepreneurship and resilience).
Employers proactively engage with public policy officials, school systems, and government agencies to build pathways from education to employment.
Employment is meaningful, pays a livable wage, and respects the dignity and contributions of young people.
From public to private, local funding and philanthropy reflect the city’s priority on youth futures through programs, subsidies, incentives, and scholarships.
The design of public services and policies creates an ecosystem of support for young people on the pathway from education to employment, including transportation, health care, mental health services, childcare, and quality food.
The city has a central clearing house, platform, or other mechanisms for making information about skills training, employment, and other opportunities available to youth.
GBC-Education Report
A skills-friendly city thoroughly cultivates a collaborative ecosystem for young people ages 15-25, encompassing: education and training; public policies and public sector efforts; employers; connections and matchmaking between jobseekers and employers; funding and investment from public, private and other actors.
Youth-serving organizations are working to build more equitable and effective skills-enabling environments for young people, at the local level, alongside cities, the business community, education institutions and youth. They strive for conditions and collaboration among actors to positively impact a young person’s ability to acquire relevant skills or a quality job.
