What’s your desired salary? It’s a question that will sweat out even the most confident applicant. The question will eventually pop up at one stage or the other during the recruitment process. What you need to do is be strategic about it. If you lowball the number, you will have to settle for less. If you go for the high, you might not be considered anymore. So how do you answer this? Let’s find out.  What is Desired Salary?  A desired salary is pretty much self-explanatory. It refers to the amount you expect in exchange for your service. A desired salary is useful both for the employer and the potential employee. It allows the employer to understand the expectations of the potential recruit and assess whether it fits within their budget or not.  On the other hand, a potential candidate can determine a desired salary based on their experience and skills for a position. However, it is important to research the market rate for similar positions and be prepared to negotiate to reach a mutually satisfactory salary package. Read more: How to Make a Video Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide How to Determine the Appropriate Desired Salary  From the perspective of Bangladesh, the concept of desired salary holds little value in most hiring cases. Unless you are applying for a highly technical position or a mid-career switch, the negotiations hardly work in favor of a candidate. Still, there are several ways to determine the appropriate salary. Here’s how.  Understand the Industry Standards  Research what the industry standard is for the role you’re applying to. Consider location, required skills, and level of experience in this regard. Bdjobs, Chakri, and CareerJet can be good starting points for the research.  Match Your Skills and Experience Be realistic about where you are skills and experience-wise. For example, if you apply for a position requiring 2-3 years of experience as a fresher, chances are you won’t even make it to the preliminary screening let alone salary negotiations.  Read more: Empower Your Tech Career in 2024: Master These In-Demand Skills for Success The best approach would be to again research what other companies are paying for your skills and experience level to get an estimate.  Factor in the Benefits  Many organizations offer benefits and perks like commute allowance, mobile allowance, rent subsidy, and high bonuses. Consider all the benefits you will be getting before estimating a number.  Consider Future Growth Potential  Another thing to consider is the future growth potential of the company. In the case of a company with a robust growth and promotion structure, an initial low salary can be offset by long-term career earnings.  Read more: What to Wear for a Job Interview

Imagine a 12-year-old girl who’s constantly struggling with her studies. Her imagination runs wild with stories as she gets constantly bullied in school. Even later in university, the girl finds herself to be a below-par student with not much enthusiasm for academics.  While one would assume that it’s a dead end for a career, we’re of course talking about J.K. Rowling, the beloved creator of Harry Potter.  There are tons of examples of backbenchers succeeding in life, sometimes more than the toppers. What might be the reason behind that? Let’s explore.  Leading Through Example: The Successful Backbenchers  The list of successful backbenchers is surprisingly long. It's undeniable that many successful persons in today’s world had been bad students at some point in their lives. Consider the case of Virgin’s Richard Branson, Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Apple’s Steve Jobs. All of them reached the pinnacle of success in respective career paths even if they have histories of being dropouts in educational lives.  Read more: What to Wear for a Job Interview There are even presidential candidates like Al Gore who weren’t particularly excelling in studies. Movie stars like Drew Barrymore, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Cameron Diaz have been outspoken about their rather lackluster academics. It’s not difficult to find backbenchers who succeeded in life. The question is, why are they successful? What sets them apart from the toppers? The short answer is not being bound by the constraints of conformity. Backbenchers often have the freedom of not having to conform to societal expectations. They can take different routes, risks and even explore ideas that a topper usually won’t. While these risks and off-the-beaten-path approach paid off for many, it’s not always guaranteed to succeed.  Why are Backbenchers so Successful?  The entire idea that backbenchers are surprisingly successful comes down to a few points. Some of these are character traits, some are behavioral and some are situations surrounding the individual. Out-of-the-Box Thinking  Believe it or not, the traditional education system based on learning and assessment dates back to the Industrial Revolution. The Darwinian theory of survival of the fittest somehow got incorporated in the education system as well which made it less about learning, and more about staying ahead in everything.  Read more: 10 Best Programming Languages for 2024 This is where backbenchers are different. For them, classroom learning and grades aren’t everything. They might explore a variety of interests, which can lead to a more diverse skill set. This broader perspective can be advantageous in professions that require a holistic understanding of different disciplines. It can also contribute to a more well-rounded and adaptable individual.

In a constantly evolving world, where challenges and opportunities abound, preparing your child for success means more than just academics. It's about equipping them with the skills and qualities that will distinguish them as confident and capable individuals, and leadership stands out as one of the most crucial qualities we can instill in them. Leadership isn't merely about holding a position of authority; it's about inspiring, guiding, and positively influencing others. As parents, we naturally aspire for our children to excel in their skill development. Picture your child growing up with the ability to communicate effectively, collaborate seamlessly, and make sound decisions. These skills extend beyond the classroom, helping them excel in academics, extracurricular activities, and social life. As your child enters their teenage years, they are poised for personal growth and self-discovery. This is when they should be encouraged to question assumptions, take risks, and experiment, all crucial skills for innovative leadership. During this phase, it's essential to encourage them to channel their learning into real-world change through community service projects. This transformative experience molds them into capable individuals ready to drive positive societal change. Read more: BYLC Ventures announces Cohort 5 winners Leadership skills go far beyond career aspirations — they shape well-rounded individuals who thrive in various aspects of life. Instilling leadership skills in your child matters because it nurtures their self-confidence, encouraging them to speak up, share their ideas, and take initiative. These skills empower them to tackle challenges creatively and with resilience, developing problem-solving abilities to serve them throughout life. Effective communication is another vital aspect, allowing them to express themselves clearly and listen empathetically while fostering stronger connections with others. Commencing this journey early is pivotal for developing strong leadership skills, emphasizing values like ownership, teamwork, community service, and active citizenship. In today's tech-driven world, BYLC’s Building Bridges through Leadership Training Junior (BBLTJ) and Building Bridges through Leadership Training (BBLT) programs sensitize younger minds to the power of human connection, empathy, and making a difference. They plant the seeds of leadership at a young age, ensuring your child grows up with a profound sense of purpose and responsibility. In our ever-evolving world, adaptability is vital; leadership skills help your child embrace change and guide others through it. At the heart of great leadership lies empathy, making your child more compassionate and inclusive. Lastly, leadership instills the initiative to create opportunities rather than passively waiting for them, setting your child on a path of continuous growth and personal development. Read more: How BYLC’s Art and Practice of Leadership workshop is changing the approach to leadership Leadership skills are the foundation of a successful and fulfilling life. Investing in your child's leadership development yields lifelong rewards. The programs of BYLC provide the tools, experiences, and inspiration necessary to shape your child into a leader who excels academically and professionally while positively impacting their community and the world. So, take that step forward and enroll your child in a leadership program today because nurturing tomorrow's leaders begins with your actions.

The global outsourcing market has been on the rise for the last decade. The market has had a sharp growth in the past few years owing to the boom of work-from-home culture induced by the pandemic. The online marketplaces are highly dynamic. There are thousands of niches that hire millions of offshore workers. However, as many people are looking for jobs in the online outsourcing platforms, many beginners are struggling to get hired. Here’s a list of 5 soft and hard skills that can help freelancers to earn money online.  5 Essential Skills to Find Jobs on Outsourcing Platforms Digital Marketing Skills  Digital marketing is essentially a sales job on an online platform. Skills like SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising are in high demand on different gig platforms.  SEO and advertising require a good knowledge of content management and promotion strategies which are in high demand in today’s competitive market.  Read more: Top 10 Free Online Digital Marketing Courses Content Creation Skills  Another highly demanded skill for making money online is content creation skills. Content creation can range from writing to video production, graphics design, and photography. Among these, graphics design and video production are in high demand. Content creation requires high level of technical skills regardless of the niche. As a result, it generally pays a lot more than low-skilled high-volume gigs like web research and data entry online jobs.  Read more: YouTube Affiliate Marketing: Tips to build a successful channel E-Commerce Skills  E-commerce is the future of shopping. Globally e-commerce has paved the way for many businesses to tap into target audiences beyond geographical boundaries.  E-commerce skills like online store setup, inventory management, payment processing, and customer service skills are in high demand on online marketplaces. Besides these affiliate marketing and drop-shipping are promising niches to make stable online earnings. Nowadays, diverse local and international brands are offering commisons for selling products through affiliate links.  These specialized skills will not only help find jobs in the relevant niche but will also help if you plan to start your own e-commerce or drop shipping businesses.  Read more: Online Business: How to Get Started from Home? Analytics and Data Science  Data Science jobs are in high demand globally because of the offshore nature and high pay structure of the industry. Technical skills like data science certification, Google Analytics certification, A/B Testing, etc are in high demand for business and platform growth.  Many organizations employ data scientists on an offshore or contractual basis making it a lucrative skill to earn money from the comfort of your home.  Read more: How to Be a Data Analyst from CSE or Non-CSE Backgrounds?

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked students to acquire special training on skills development on different subjects, especially on ICT, for taking advantage of the immense opportunities in the job market. “This is the digital era; you have to keep your eyes on this. If you do that, you will get more opportunities in the job market,” she said. The prime minister said this on the occasion of publishing Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exam results at her office (PMO). Sheikh Hasina asked students to take skills development trainings, particularly on ICT, during their free time – to make them better prepared for the digital age. “Bachelor’s or master’s alone won’t be enough; you need special knowledge in any subject to expand job opportunities at home and abroad,” the PM said. She asked students not to waste their time and get trainings that the government is providing across the country. Sheikh Hasina asked concerned persons and authorities to put more attention on research. “Our research work on agriculture is going well; I will ask you to give more attention to other subjects,” she said. Read more: 85.95 % pass 2022 HSC, equivalent exams She said that without research it would not be possible to attain knowledge on the latest developments. The PM said that no country can be developed without having a literate nation. “We want a poverty-free Bangladesh. And for that we urgently need literate people.” In this connection, she said that the government has diversified education. “We have given special attention on education so that our children can cope with the continuously developing world. We are providing scopes to get higher education in every district. This will ensure employment too,” she said. She said that the government has set up subject-focused universities which are required to keep up with the rest of the world. She highly praised students for continuing their studies during the coronavirus pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, sanctions and counter-sanctions – that have created a restless situation across the globe. “Within this situation, our children continued their education, sat for exams, and passed the exams – this is no small achievement.” Read more: How to see your HSC 2022 result She congratulated those who have passed in the exams and their guardians. “And those who did not manage to pass the exams, I would urge them not to be depressed. Start preparing for the next exam with determination.” Considering the pass rate for female students is higher than their male counterparts, she asked the latter to be more attentive in their studies. Sheikh Hasina said that children of the country are brilliant, and if they are given the opportunities, they can achieve anything. Earlier, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni handed over the result summary to the prime minister. After that chairmen of different education boards handed over the results of their respective boards to the PM. The education minister, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury and Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division Suleman Khan also spoke at the programme.

With economic uncertainty dominating recent news cycles, the status of the employment market is often unstable. Amid this challenge and uncertainty, there are some sectors that are less likely to see layoffs during a recession. More specifically, There are few abilities that tend to be more in-demand, marketable, and transferrable than others. To prevent the anxiety of job instability in times of economic turbulence, you may want to add recession-proof tech skills to your CV! Let’s check out the tech skills to build a recession proof career. Recent Recessions and Impact on Jobs According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the world's major economies have been slipping into recession as the global oil and inflation crises precipitated by Russia's assault on Ukraine have reduced growth by a greater amount than anticipated. In light of the OECD's projection that global growth would drop to 2.2% in 2023 from 2.8% in June, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom will enter a protracted period of recession due to their reliance on costly gas for heavy industry and residential heating. Read More: Youth unemployment rate in Bangladesh stands at 10.6pc: ILO Such conditions in the world economy can fatally impact the global sector. Like the recession for the Russia and Ukraine war, the world also has seen recession for Covid-19 and its impact on jobs. From spring 2019 to spring 2020, the unemployment rate for young employees aged 16 to 24 climbed from 8.4% to 24.4%, while the unemployment rate for those aged 25 and older rose from 2.7% to 11.7%. To stay productive even in a recession, you need to learn one or two skills that will serve you in such critical times. Recession-Proof Job Industries and Relevant Tech Skills Programming Today the most in-demand tech skills include Golang, SQL, . NET. Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, and others in a short amount of time. Extensive understanding of a few different languages can open job opportunityies in the IT industry. Where you are looking for full-time, part-time or freelance coding jobs, there are immense scopes. The most popular programming jobs include, web development, software development, apps development, networking, etc. Read More: 10 Most Prestigious Global Programming Contests Programming courses and coding boot camps make it simple to pick up today's most in-demand programming languages, such as HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc. Cyber Security Specialist Business leaders continue to place a high premium on information technology security despite the fact that many organizations are preparing for the effects of a recession. According to the findings of a recruitment expert named Robert Half, the specialists in the cybersecurity industry have been ranked as the workers that businesses are most focused on employing in the year ahead. Read More: Cyber Security Career Guide: How to Become a Cybersecurity Expert? When looking to hire someone for a position in cyber security, businesses prioritize a number of qualities, including knowledge of cybersecurity across several platforms, an awareness of hacking, and abilities in computer forensics. To develop career in Cyber Security you need to have several skills including Problem-Solving, Technical Aptitude, Security knowledge across Various Platforms, Communication Skills, Computer Forensics Skills, Understanding of Hacking, etc. Cloud Computing Cloud computing skills include knowledge of several sectors like database management, network management, programming, cloud security, machine learning, artificial intelligence, DevOps, APIs, etc. Read More: Huawei introduces versatile cloud solutions for telecom carriers The cloud business is certainly recession-proof due to the high need for cloud-related professions, and putting money into digital skills is more crucial than ever. As the majority of work is performed in a cloud-based environment, massive investments in technology and adoption are on the rise, resulting in an abundance of employment openings.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called for building a skilled workforce to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Importance should be given to setting up technical and vocational training centres in every district and upazila along with conventional educational institutions, it said. FBCCI made the call during the second meeting of its Standing Committee on National Economic Policy and Planning, 8th Five Year Plan, SDGs, and Vision 2041 in Dhaka Thursday. FBCCI Senior Vice-President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said: "There is no alternative to building a skilled workforce to further accelerate our efforts to achieve the SDGs. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sameer Sattar said foreign investment is very important in achieving the SDGs. Also, he emphasised increasing foreign investments, building a  skilled manpower, and developing non-conventional sectors. Read more: Public-private partnership key to SDGs financing: Tazul

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Academy of Garments Technology Bangladesh (GarmentTechBD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in providing training to mid-level management in the RMG industry to improve their knowledge and skills in supply chain management and other self-improvement fields. Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA, and Zhuang Lifeng, founding President of Overseas Chinese Association in Bangladesh (OCAIB) and Managing Director of Academy of Garments Technology Bangladesh inked the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations on Tuesday. As per the understanding, BGMEA and GarmentTechBD will collaborate in conducting survey and study in garment factories to assess training needs and design training courses accordingly. Read: Bangladesh to stay safe, sustainable apparel sourcing destination: BGMEA GarmentTechBD will provide training to mid-level management employees in supply chain management and other skills development. SM Mannan (Kochi), Senior Vice President of BGMEA; Md. Faizur Rahman, Secretary General of BGMEA; Abdus Salam, Adviser; Md. Panna Rahman, Project Leader; Jahangir Alam Joy, Head of HR, Admin and Compliance; and Mohammad Hasan Imam, Senior General Manager of GarmentTechBD were also present at the MoU signing ceremony held at BGMEA Complex.

Basic communication skills are the fundamentals of good communication. It is about communicating effectively with others in a way that will make them feel heard and understood. To communicate effectively, you must be aware of your emotions and how you come across to others. You also have to be able to express yourself appropriately for the situation. Let’s discuss the fundamental communication skills required for successful career growth and maintaining healthy relationships with other people.  Advantages of Having Good Communication Skills Communication skills are one of the essential skills that a person can have. For any workplace, communication is one of the most vital parts. It is the process of exchanging information with one or more people verbally or in written form. It is also the process of sharing, receiving, and responding to reports using words, sounds, signs, gestures and other means. Communication skills help people be more productive in work and personal life. The success of a business depends on how well it communicates internally and externally with customers, suppliers and partners. Good communication skills can lead to increased capacity and better outcomes for both parties involved in a conversation or meeting. Read Top 10 Software Engineer Skills to Help You Get Hired How to Learn the Basic Communication Skills? There are many different ways you can learn more about basic communication skills. You could take a class, read a book, or watch videos on YouTube. However, practising what you have learned is the best way to learn. How to Develop Your Communication Skills Communication skills are crucial in today's world. We are constantly communicating with people through different channels. To be successful, we need to have the ability to communicate energetically and efficiently with the people around us.  10 Basic communication skills for successful business, career, relationships Active Listening Active listening is paying attention to what other people say and clarifying questions to show interest and understanding. Active listening helps in effective communication while simultaneously helping us be respectful and establish connections with those we communicate with.  Read Benefits of Debates for Children, Teenagers, Students Generally, we tend to focus too much on delivering our messages and opinions but not on listening. However, it is fundamental to understand what others are trying to tell us--whether face-to-face or via another medium to share action and collaboration. Written & Oral Communication Verbal communication, both written and oral communication. Oral communication skills mean speaking concisely and without misinterpretation. You should have oral communication skills to bond with your customers and provide a good service. Written communication is necessary for some jobs wherein 90% of cases; you'll need to register: -Writing emails to your colleagues-Drafting a report for your boss-Communicating with customers via email. Read Teaching Public Speaking to Children: Benefits, Effective ways Persuasion The ability to persuade other people is precious at work, and employers appreciate employees with the capacity to convince others because it will increase productivity. The art of convincing others to take the desired task or act in a specific manner, usually to reach the desired outcome. Communicators with strong persuasion capabilities can "read" the room and understand their target audience. They are also warm and charming and can establish an enduring relationship with those they're trying to convince. Persuasive communication professionals make their arguments or concepts appealing by presenting their ideas to make people believe they will benefit from what they have convinced them. Read How to improve your English speaking skills at home? Friendliness The traits of honesty and kindness are a great way to build trust and understanding while communicating with colleagues. Be sure to convey your message with a positive mindset, keep your mind open, and inquire about discerning what they are saying.  Simple gestures like asking people how they are doing, smiling while they talk, or giving them kudos for a job done well can help create positive relationships with coworkers and supervisors. It is possible to practise friendship by recollecting little, thoughtful information about your coworkers and previous conversations. For instance, when a colleague says their child's birthday is coming up, you get to talk to them later. You might want to inquire about how their birthday celebration was! Read Free English-Speaking Mobile Apps for the Non-native Speakers Feedback It is a bidirectional process, and good communicators can provide and receive feedback. The constructive feedback can provide answers to your questions and solutions to issues. The purpose of feedback is improvement or enhancement. Clarity and volume When talking, you need to be precise. Making sure that your voice is adjusted so that you can hear in various settings is an art and is essential to communicating correctly. If you speak too loudly, it can be considered rude or unprofessional in certain situations. If you're uncertain, take a look at the room and see the way others are communicating. Another element of the verbal language is vocalic as well as tonality. Tonality is how your tone shifts between up and down, as well as your pitch, accent and the space you leave between your sentences. These are all important in communicating emotion and providing your audience insight into how they receive your message. Read How to improve your professional networking skills? Confidence Confidence is crucial at work since people will be more likely to react to your thoughts and ideas when they are delivered confidently. You can show your reliance through eye contact, tone of voice, and good posture. It is helpful to prepare when presenting a presentation or argument so that you don't lose your words and can deliver your remarks with poise. Responsiveness When answering an incoming phone call or replying to an email, fast people are considered more efficient than those who take a long time to respond. One way to think about this is to determine how long your response will take. Is this an issue or request that you'll be able to answer within less than five minutes? If it is, it could be best to reply as soon as you can. If it's a more complex issue or query, you can acknowledge receipt of the message and inform the other person that you will reply in full later. Read Income Opportunities for Globetrotters: How to make money and travel Respect Respect is fundamental; it involves knowing when to begin communication and when to respond. In a group or team setting, allowing everyone to speak uninterrupted is considered a crucial communication ability correlated with respect. Respectful communication also means taking your time when communicating with someone else in a responsible manner, staying on the topic by asking questions clearly and fully responding to the questions you've been given. Empathy Empathy is the ability to not only empathise and feel the emotions of other people. This ability to communicate is crucial for both one-on-one and team situations. In both instances, it is essential to be able to read the emotions of others and decide on a suitable response. Read Best Free Websites to Improve English Writing Skill For instance, if people are angry or frustrated and you are feeling angry or frustrated, empathy can help to understand and alleviate their anger. In the same way, understanding those who are feeling positive and enthusiastic can assist you in gaining the support you need for your ideas and plans. Bottom Line We need to be able to communicate with others to get what we want. To maintain a healthy relationship with parents, partners, children, friends, neighbours or colleagues, it is essential to know the basic communication skills.  In professional life, effective communication skills are highly required in business development or organisational works. Whether it is a service or a product, the business will have some interaction with the customer. The customer needs to understand what the company is providing and vice versa.  Read Top 10 In-demand Tech Skills Freshers Should Learn in 2022 You need to learn the essential communications skills to achieve success in life, career and relationships. We hope our above discussion will help you improve your communication skills.  

Nearly three quarters of young people aged 15 to 24 in 92 countries with available data are off-track to acquire the skills needed for employment, according to a new report published by the Education Commission and UNICEF on Thursday ahead of World Youth Skills Day. Recovering learning: Are children and youth on track in skills development? features analyses on skills development in early childhood, and among children of primary school age and youth. The data highlight low levels of skills among children and young people across all age groups, with young people in low-income countries the least likely to have the skills required to thrive, particularly in future employment opportunities, decent work, and entrepreneurship. Also read: Basic Software Skills for Freshers to Get Hired Easily “An inspired, skilled generation of children and young people is critical for prosperity, progression, and the success of societies and economies. Yet, the majority of children and young people across the world have been failed by their education systems, leaving them uneducated, uninspired, and unskilled – the perfect storm for unproductivity,” said UNICEF Director of Education Robert Jenkins. “Investment in cost-effective, proven solutions to fast-track learning and skills development for today’s generation and future generations is urgently needed to address this crisis.” With high rates of out-of-school young people and low attainment of secondary-level skills, countries worldwide are facing a skills crisis, with the majority of youth unprepared to take part in today’s workforce, the report notes. Read Best Free Websites to Improve English Writing Skill Deep disparities across countries and among those from the poorest communities are increasing inequalities. In at least 1 in 3 low-income countries with available data, more than 85 percent of young people are off-track in the secondary-level, digital, and job-specific skills attainment, the report notes. "To give young people the best chance to succeed and recover learning losses due to the pandemic, we need to support them holistically. But we can't recover what we don't measure. We need to know where children and youth are in building the range of skills they need and monitor their progress," said Education Commission Executive Director Liesbet Steer. Read Bangladesh urges Japan to recruit skilled IT professionals "That's why the Education Commission, UNICEF, and partners have been working to address critical data gaps, including the launch of the World Skills Clock to help track progress on and raise awareness around youth skills attainment around the world so we can target urgent action to prepare this generation to thrive in the future." Data from 77 countries show that less than three-quarters of children aged between 3 and 5 years old are developmentally on track in at least three out of the four domains of literacy-numeracy, physical, social-emotional, and learning. At approximately 10 years old, the majority of children in low- and middle-income countries are unable to read and understand a simple text. Read HSBC, IBA award young talents of Bangladesh with future skills These foundational skills are the building blocks for further learning and skills development, the report notes. Basic literacy and numeracy; transferable skills including life skills and socioemotional skills; digital skills, which allow individuals to use and understand technology; job-specific skills, which support the transition into the workforce; and entrepreneurial skills are essential for children to thrive. These skills are also critical for the development of societies and economies. UNICEF and the Education Commission are urging governments to reach every child with quality education and break down the barriers that put them at risk of dropping out; assess children’s learning levels and provide tailored catch-up classes to bring them up to speed; prioritize foundational skills to build a strong base for lifelong learning; and support psychosocial health and well-being by providing holistic support. Also read: HSBC, IBA award young talents of Bangladesh with future skills The report outlines the need for more extensive data on the skills gap among children and young people across all age groups.