A Study on Youth Unemployment and Employability Skills in Karnataka

Youth unemployment has emerged as a significant socio-economic challenge in Karnataka despite the state's strong economic growth and expanding industrial sectors. A major reason for this issue is the mismatch between the skills possessed by young job seekers and the competencies expected by employers. This study examines the relationship between youth unemployment and employability skills in Karnataka by identifying the key factors influencing employment opportunities among young individuals. The research focuses on essential employability skills, including communication, technical competence, digital literacy, problem-solving ability, teamwork, adaptability, and professional attitude, and evaluates their role in improving employment prospects. A descriptive research design is adopted, utilizing both primary and secondary data. Primary data are collected through a structured questionnaire administered to youth aged 18–35 years across selected districts of Karnataka, while secondary data are obtained from government reports, research journals, and published literature. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-square test, correlation, and regression analysis are employed to analyze the data and test the proposed hypotheses. The study aims to identify existing skill gaps, assess the effectiveness of current skill development initiatives, and examine how employability skills influence employment outcomes. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers, educational institutions, employers, and training organizations in designing effective strategies to enhance youth employability and reduce unemployment. The study concludes by recommending stronger industry–academia collaboration, improved vocational and digital skill training, expanded internship opportunities, and continuous career guidance to bridge the gap between education and labour market requirements, thereby contributing to sustainable employment and economic development in Karnataka.

Youth Unemployment, Employability Skills, Skill Gap, Employment Opportunities and Labour Market.

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