The Reflections series synthesizes lessons from past evaluations to support organizational learning about what works and what doesn't. This paper examines past evaluations to provide eight lessons from UNDP support to youth skills development:

1. Effective youth skills development programmes use a combination of interventions to equip youth with different types of skills necessary for accessing the world of work.
2. Youth from disadvantaged groups require targeted interventions to address their skills needs and improve their integration in the labour market.
3. Policy reform, institutional strengthening and trainer networks help TVET systems effectively transfer skills to youth.
4. Engagement of employers and connection to market demands are key success factors for youth skills development programming.
5. Supporting the national and local-level government in implementing active labour market policies and measures is key to achieving and sustaining youth skills development outcome.
6. Partnership with other UN agencies can strengthen technical inputs to youth skills development programmes but requires close coordination around targeted value chain development.
7. Entrepreneurship is not a silver bullet for youth unemployment. It can contribute to filling the skills gap, but youth start-ups require long-term support and continuous financing to mature and scale up.
8. Monitoring and evaluation of youth skills development initiatives need systematic frameworks and follow-up activities to assess results beyond outreach.