Cover Nearly 1.3 billion people will be aged between 15 and 24 by 2030, according to the United Nations (Photo: Getty Images)
Nearly 1.3 billion people will be aged between 15 and 24 by 2030, according to the United Nations (Photo: Getty Images)
1 / 1
On the week of World Youth Skills Day, we celebrate the social innovators who empower future leaders by nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit and improving their employability
According to the United Nations, nearly 1.3 billion individuals will be aged between 15 and 24 by 2030. This cohort will account for over 16 percent of the global population.
Yet, this demographic group currently faces a myriad of challenges as they navigate the ever-evolving digital world and grapple with ongoing economic uncertainties. One such difficulty lies in finding employment. In 2023, the youth employment rate in countries across different income levels—from high to upper-middle, lower-middle and low income—was close to four times higher than that of adults, according to the International Labour Organisation.
Read more: From singers to directors: Meet the new wave of Asian rising talents in entertainment
Despite hurdles, we cannot deny that the youth will soon take charge of tackling global challenges and need to adapt to emerging trends; disasters brought about by climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence await the young. Different institutions, thus, need to empower the younger generation, equipping them with the skills for employment, innovation and entrepreneurship, across genders and socio-economic backgrounds.
In celebration of World Youth Skill Day, we spotlight four Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow in Asia for their contributions to enabling the youth to build their ideal future through career success and entrepreneurship.
Ida Thien
Above Ida Thien is the CEO of Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation, a non-profit public foundation in Malaysia (Photo: Fady Fox)
Ida Thien is the CEO of Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation, a non-profit public foundation in Malaysia (Photo: Fady Fox)
1 / 1
CEO, Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation
Ida Thien, the CEO of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation, is dedicated to enabling high-potential, high-need youths throughout Malaysia to obtain higher education opportunities and improve their lives. The Foundation supports students from marginalised backgrounds in developing into young leaders by providing comprehensive scholarships and development programs.
Their initiatives include Closing The Gap, FutureReady and the Tunku Abdul Rahman Scholarship. Closing The Gap focuses on enhancing university accessibility for secondary school students, while FutureReady is designed to provide university students with the necessary skills, knowledge and practical experience to thrive in the job market.
Read more: Educating Malaysia’s future: How this non-profit is empowering the country’s underrepresented youth
Kornvuthi Lapprathana
Above Kornvuthi Lapprathana is the co-founder and CEO of TechUp, which assists students to land jobs in the technology sector (Photo: Worapon Teerawatvijit)
Kornvuthi Lapprathana is the co-founder and CEO of TechUp, which assists students to land jobs in the technology sector (Photo: Worapon Teerawatvijit)
1 / 1
Kornvuthi Lapprathana runs TechUp, which provides online coding classes and training sessions. The main goal is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in the technology sector. The interactive educational platform offered in Thai covers coding basics to more advanced software development. It gives students access to study materials, practical exercises, instructional videos and a real-time feedback tool for writing code.
The programme has produced impressive results: 60 to 80 percent of participants find employment within 90 days of finishing the course, with many securing positions at well-known companies such as IBM and PwC. Furthermore, the median salaries of graduates after completing the training have risen 33 percent.
Read more: 6 up and coming innovators from Asia leading the AI charge in 2024
Izzana Salleh
Above Izzana Salleh was one of the winners of Tatler's Front & Female Awards Malaysia in 2023 (Photo: Fady Fox)
Izzana Salleh was one of the winners of Tatler's Front & Female Awards Malaysia in 2023 (Photo: Fady Fox)
1 / 1
Co-founder and global president, Girls for Girls International
After realising that women leaders face universal challenges, Izzana Salleh co-founded Girls for Girls International. Izzana says that this global sisterhood is aimed at providing women aged 16 to 25 with the skills, support, and courage to become leaders. The organisation’s goal is to train a million future leaders by 2025.
The non-profit group has worked with 10,000 mentees and 1,500 mentors across 26 countries. Headed by Izzana, the Malaysian chapter of the organisation has collaborated with various parties, such as Universiti Malaysia Kelantan and the telecommunications conglomerate Axiata.
Read more: The Front & Female Awards Malaysia 2023: Meet the winners
Anthony So
Above Anthony So is the co-founder and CEO of OnMyGrad, a platform that teaches students and recent graduates how to land their desired role (Photo: Affa Chan)
Anthony So is the co-founder and CEO of OnMyGrad, a platform that teaches students and recent graduates how to land their desired role (Photo: Affa Chan)
1 / 1
Anthony So runs OnMyGrad, a campus recruitment platform which connects top employers with ambitious students planning their futures. The platform enables college graduates to learn how to prepare for their careers and land their dream jobs, breaking free of their socio-economic background. OnMyGrad offers comprehensive educational resources, featuring industry professionals who provide insider insights into various sectors and companies. Through these experiential introductions, students gain invaluable knowledge to launch successful careers.
Within a year, the company has signed up more than a third of Hong Kong’s university students. It also works closely with clients including Swire, Microsoft, Accenture, KPMG, Procter & Gamble and L’Oréal. OnMyGrad is working on expanding its features to allow employers to hire suitable talent more effectively and offer applicants the ability to enhance their portfolios directly on the platform.
Meet the Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2024.
NOW READ
Based in Hong Kong, editor Yoyo Chow covers the people and ideas redefining Asia’s future—from cutting-edge innovation and AI to bold moves in sustainability and diversity. She also drives content for Tatler Gen.T in Hong Kong, a platform and community spotlighting the region’s next generation of startup founders, creatives and changemakers.
Before that, she was a video journalist producing content for international TV and digital platforms, including Reuters and South China Morning Post. If you have a powerful story to share, she’s all ears. Send press materials, event invites and any inquiries to yoyo.chow@tatlerasia.com.
