In the month of August, youth in the Asia/Pacific region organized various activities to raise their demand for skilled jobs, secure employment & respect and dignity at work under the theme Youth, Jobs, Justice as decided by the IUF Asia/Pacific Regional Youth Committee.

Certified skills training and quality apprenticeships would be crucial in acquiring skills that can ensure employment security for youth amid changes in the workplaces and work arrangements with automation, digitalization and new technologies, and climate crisis.

On August 10, 2024, IUF Asia/Pacific organized training with apprentices in India on ILO Recommendation 208 on quality apprenticeships as a way for youth, especially for young women to get skilled jobs, secure employment & better wage and to secure rights of apprentices as defined in the r. 208. Apprentices have the right to seek union representations in case their rights are violated and unions have the right to intervene to ensure fair treatment and protect rights of apprentices.

On August 25, 2024, IUF Asia Pacific Thailand organized workshop on “Quality Apprenticeship” for three Food and Beverage Unions in Thailand. The workshop aimed to empower union leaders and young members by promoting quality apprenticeships. It stressed the need for reskilling, upskilling, and green skills to enhance employability. In a group activity, unions identified apprenticeship opportunities, outlined training program possibilities, and emphasized the need for certified training from management.

On August 24, 2024, the newly formed IUF – Pakistan Coordinating Council organized youth leadership training in Lahore to build understanding on quality apprenticeships, automation, and green skills. The group recognized that quality apprenticeships offer a valuable opportunity for the young workers to acquire skill and upskill. Additionally, the training covered the importance of green skills in increasing employability for young workers. In group work sessions, participants delved into workplace skill mapping, identifying potential apprenticeship opportunities at their respective workplaces and through the unions, negotiate it with the management.

On August 19-20, 2024, IUF affiliated FSBMM, food & beverage unions’ federation in Indonesia organized youth leadership meeting where youth discussed the International Youth Day theme – Youth, Jobs, Justice, what it means for them and the importance of receiving certified training and acquiring skills. It can happen through strong unions.

On August 12, 2024 Hotel and Tourism workers unions in Nepal, NIHWU & UNITRAV training for youth leaders and called for skilled jobs for youth with rights.

International Youth Day banner translated in Bengali, Hindi, Indonesian Bahasa, Sinhala, Thai and Urdu.