Industry, German Corporation roll out youth employment project

Manufacturers have launched a project to promote youth employment and entrepreneurship through skills development.

The Promoting Youth Employment through Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Project is run by Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with German Development Corporation (GDC). It seeks to create job and entrepreneurship opportunities, by linking Competence Based Education and Training (CBET) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates with opportunities in local industries.

Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary, State Department for Vocational and Technical Training, Dr Julius Jwan expressed optimism that the project shall increase the number of young people who venture into manufacturing.

“The project provides an opportunity for youth to access opportunities in TVET across the country. As government, we are working towards improving the TVET field, by revamping institutions and retraining trainers to align their skills with modern technology. We are also keen on ensuring that the training offered in the institutions meets industry’s needs now and in future. We hope that with these initiatives, we shall increase the number of young people who enrol for technical courses,” said Dr Jwan.

Principal Secretary for Youth, Dr Julius Korir reaffirmed government’s commitment to increase young people’s participation in the country’s economic and national development aspirations.

“A recent demographic survey report by the Government of Kenya indicated that 14.5 million Kenyans are aged between 18-35 years old. This makes them an important segment in achieving sustainable development goals, economic development goals and our national aspirations. In recognition of this, the government has developed programmes aimed at empowering the youth in Kenya, to provide an opportunity for improving the quality of life for Kenyan youth through their participation in economic processes,” said PS Korir.

Charge d’Affairs, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany to Kenya, Mr Thomas Wimmer, appreciated the partnership between Kenya and Germany.

“To boost skills development in Kenya as a vehicle to promoting youth employment, the German Corporation works closely with the Kenyan government, whose development agenda and goodwill complement Germany’s technical expertise in creating sustainable economic development,” said Mr Wimmer.

He added that cooperation with private sector to advance TVET skills is a key pillar towards achieving sustainable economic development.

“The success of the project lies in our partnership with the private sector, who are the driving force for the achievement of the Big 4 Agenda. In this regard, KAM provides us with a platform to link with industries and TVET institutions,” added Mr Wimmer.

KAM Chief Executive, Ms Phyllis Wakiaga, concluded that through the project, the Association seeks to enhance young people’s participation in the local manufacturing sector.

“Through the project, we shall continue to support technical skills development among young people; strengthen links between industries, TVET institutions and students; promote continuous career development of technical trainers to enable meet manufacturers’ changing needs and increase the number of women who venture into the manufacturing sector,” noted Ms Wakiaga.

The project will run up to January 2023, after the successful implementation of the first phase which saw 1662 TVET graduates placed on internships, and 878 permanently employed in various industries.