Challenges and Opportunities for Youths in Employment – A Study in Dakshina Kannada District

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges and opportunities for youths in employment, with reference to Dakshina Kannada district. Youth face several challenges in securing employment, such as a mismatch between education and industry needs, limited job opportunities, and a lack of practical experience. So, the main purpose of this study is to critically examine these issues and advise strategies to improve youth employability. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of multiple-choice question from youths of Dakshina Kannada and secondary data was collected from academic literature, scholarly journals, research articles, and government reports, to support the findings. Findings: The paper reveals that although a large number of respondents are highly educated, they still face barriers to employment, including economic limitations, limited job opportunities, lack of experience, and skills mismatch. The findings indicate a growing awareness and participation in skill development programs, preference for government jobs. Despite education being foundation for employment, there is still a gap between the academic education and job market demand. Originality or Value: This paper provides a contribution in analyzing youth employment challenges and opportunities with main focus to Dakshina Kannada district. This research suggests valuable insights into youth employment dynamics and offers strategic guidance for development stakeholders, educators, and policy-makers in the region.