World Bank Urges Overhaul of Public Works to Build Skills for Future Jobs

The World Bank has called for a major shift in how governments run public works programs, arguing that short-term, low-skilled jobs are inadequate to tackle modern unemployment and skills gaps.

In a new report, the bank states that traditional schemes, often focused on basic infrastructure, fail to provide lasting economic benefits or a pathway to stable employment. Instead, it recommends redesigning these programs to equip workers with skills needed for a changing job market influenced by digital technology and climate challenges.

The report highlights three innovative approaches for modern public works:

· Care Services: Programs where participants provide childcare, elder care, or health support, as seen in Burkina Faso, Rwanda, and South Africa, helping women enter the workforce while building caregiving skills.

· Digital Work: Initiatives that involve creating digital public assets, like mapping and data collection. Examples include youth in Kenya mapping urban buildings and communities in Sierra Leone digitizing flood risk information, which build practical digital skills.

· Green Jobs: Projects focused on environmental protection and climate resilience, such as land restoration in India and coastal protection in Fiji. These provide income while developing skills in agriculture and environmental management.

The World Bank argues that by focusing on skill development and long-term employability, these redesigned programs can be more inclusive and cost-effective.

They can better support women, youth, and people in fragile regions, while also advancing broader goals like climate adaptation and digital transformation.