Give the youth opportunities for sustainable livelihood
Youth comprise 14 million (29 per cent) of Kenya’s population, according to the 2019 census. Kenya like many countries is experiencing a youth bulge, defined as a situation where more than 20 per cent of a country’s population is young.
It is estimated 800,000 youths enter the labour market each year. But unemployment among youth is high at 35 per cent compared to 10 per cent, nationally. The situation is compounded by a surge in the number completing secondary level.
This year alone, more than 1.5 million learners will sit for KCSE exams (March and December). Of them, only around 20 per cent will be lucky to join universities for degree courses. The rest will be competing for slots in Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to study non-degree courses.
Despite the crucial role they play in equipping youth with technical skills to secure livelihood, there is a perception non-degree courses are inferior. We must dispel such notions. The emphasis on degrees and white-collar jobs should be blamed for the high unemployment rates among youth given the limited opportunities in the formal job market.
Investing in technical, vocational and professional courses at non-degree level is critical in not only helping Kenya transform into an industrial economy but also, bridging the huge gap in many sought-after skillsets in the industry.
Unfortunately, youth from underprivileged communities are likely to be locked out of opportunities to acquire skills that would enable them to build sustainable livelihoods. Hence the need for concerted partnerships geared to empowering underprivileged youth to break the cycle of poverty through achieving sustainable livelihoods.
We must break barriers that prevent youth from becoming successful in life by unlocking opportunities for them. This entails equipping them with quality technical, professional and entrepreneurial training through creativity and innovation to pursue sustainable livelihoods. In addition, we must provide opportunities for mentorship of youths.
Most importantly, we need to empower them with skills and values to secure a productive future. Given the skilling gap in the industry, more so, technical skills, and partnerships are pivotal in bridging the shortfall in well-trained manpower. However, we also need to change their mindset from jobseekers to job-creators, by imparting entrepreneurial skills to start businesses and employ others.
To address this, Simba Foundation, Old Mutual and Faulu Foundation have partnered to support youth access automotive training and financial education. Anchored on Competency-Based Training, the beneficiaries learn skills that are much sought after in the industry. They also earn as they learn to meet their basic needs as they acquire skills to build future careers.
Some of the TVET institutions involved in the initiative are the Christian Industrial Training Centre (CITC) in Mombasa and St Kizito Vocational Training Institute in Nairobi where students receive financial education and mentorship training. Forty students have so far completed Grade Three training. This year, another 36 students will complete the Grade Two course while a cohort of 30 students is expected to start Grade Three in Kisumu this year.
Apart from technical skills, youths get life skills—“competencies and interpersonal skills that help people make informed decisions, solve problems, think critically and build healthy relationships with other people while managing their lives in a productive manner” (WHO).
Youth need guidance on managing stress in life, handling disputes, and cultivating resilience and the ability to bounce back from adversity. Mentorship offers a good platform for developing life skills. Creating well-rounded individuals ensures that youth have both technical skills to earn a living and the ability to be self-reliant and productive in life.
— Popat is chairman Simba Foundation while Njoroge is Managing Director Faulu Microfinance Bank
