A billion young people are expected to enter the workforce over the next decade, making skills development a key focus for global leaders. At the 13th Human Capital Ministerial Conclave, held during the 2025 World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings, representatives from government, industry, and civil society discussed strategies to prepare workers for future job demands.
The event was hosted by the Human Capital Project and brought together officials from 40 countries within its network. The discussions centered on how governments can work with private sector partners to equip workers with necessary skills.
For the first time, a head of state participated in the Conclave. H.E. Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of Singapore and Co-Chair of the World Bank High-Level Advisory Council on Jobs, joined Mamta Murthi, World Bank Group Vice President for People. They highlighted the need for flexible pathways so individuals can gain relevant skills for evolving jobs.
President Tharman stated that investing in human capital is increasingly important as artificial intelligence and other technologies change the nature of work. He pointed to Singapore’s experience in education: "Countries can elevate Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), reduce the division between TVET and academic tracks, and adapt higher education to include more applied experiences."
Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank, said: "Skills are the bridge between growth and jobs." He explained that the Human Capital Project aims to keep development focused on people’s knowledge, health, and ability to thrive. He called for urgent action to increase investment in human capital because many young people still lack opportunities.
Panelists from various sectors contributed their perspectives. Dr. Rubana Huq described her efforts supporting women garment workers in Bangladesh to access higher education: "It is important to focus on both foundational and advanced skills."
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Hon. Dr. Bosun Tijani shared that Nigeria is partnering with the World Bank to train three million people with technical skills aimed at strengthening its workforce: "This will ease burdens on the private sector and position Nigeria as a potential net exporter of digital skills."
Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO of Seed Global Health, spoke about partnerships’ role in developing health sector skills: "Investing in health workers can yield high economic returns and generate millions of jobs across sectors."
Finance ministers from several countries stressed lifelong learning as a priority and urged reforms so education systems meet current labor market needs through collaboration with employers.
H.E.Dr. Ashni Singh from Guyana reaffirmed his country’s commitment: "Jobs are at the heart of Guyana’s vision," highlighting investments in health and education.
Hon.Ms. Katerina Guntsadze noted Georgia’s transformation depends on ongoing education reform for workforce readiness.
Ethiopia faces an annual influx of 1.8 million new job seekers; H.E. Mr. Ahmed Shide said policies now emphasize gender equality alongside skill training.
Lesotho is shifting toward dual apprenticeship models by partnering with private firms due to a mismatch between youth skills supply and demand.
Nigeria’s Hon. Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite reported increased funding for critical sectors like education due to macroeconomic improvements: "Skill development is demand-driven by both public and private sectors."
Cote d’Ivoire has aligned its educational initiatives with labor market needs; H.E. Ms. Nialé Kaba described programs providing training leading directly to employment for hundreds of thousands of youth.
Fiji launched a technical-vocational program targeting local capacity-building while addressing brain drain concerns through cooperation among government agencies and employer groups.
Finally, Saudi Arabia’s H.E. Mr. Faisal Alibrahim emphasized measuring success not just by employment rates but also by productivity gains: "The real test...is whether jobs boost productivity, raise incomes, and create mobility."