Kenya launches green jobs and skills development strategy

Catherine Kamau -PCO

The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime has highlighted the importance of Kenya's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) which aims to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent by 2030.

Speaking in Naivasha when he opened the National Green Jobs and Skills Development Workshop, he emphasized that the transition to a green economy offers new employment opportunities, particularly for youth, while addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The National Strategy on Green Skills and Jobs aims to enhance education and employment opportunities in alignment with Kenya's constitution, which guarantees the right of youth to access relevant education and employment.

To successfully implement the strategy, predictable, adequate, and accessible resources, including financial, technological, and capacity-building support, are essential, he said.

The workshop, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other UN agencies, underscored the commitment to creating a sustainable and resilient future for Kenya's workforce.

“The creation of green jobs is a priority, particularly for our youth,” Mwadime said, adding that green industries have the potential to unlock economic opportunities and address the high levels of youth unemployment in Kenya.

In his address, the Principal Secretary highlighted the alarming statistics surrounding youth unemployment in Kenya, noting that the 20-24 age group represents the highest proportion of the unemployed population.

“The unemployment rate, measured based on the strict definition of not working, seeking work in the last four weeks and available to work, was 4.9 per cent (960,001 persons) in the fourth quarter of 2022. The age group of 20-24 years recorded the highest proportion of the under employed at 21.8 per cent (424,474 persons),” the PS said.

To address the challenge, the National Strategy on Green Skills and Jobs was developed to enhance education and employment opportunities, aligning with Kenya's constitution, which guarantees the right of youth to access relevant education and employment, he said.

“The successful implementation of this strategy requires predictable, adequate, and accessible resources, including financial support, technological advancements, and capacity-building initiatives,” the PS said.

The workshop, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other United Nations agencies, serves as a testament to the commitment towards creating a sustainable and resilient future for Kenya's workforce, he observed.

He added that by focusing on green skills, the initiative aims to tackle both the challenges of youth unemployment and the pressing need for environmental sustainability in the country.

The Strategy aims to enhance education and employment opportunities, aligning with Kenya’s constitution, which guarantees the right of youth to access relevant education and employment.

To successfully implement the strategy, Mwadime called for predictable, adequate, and accessible resources, including financial, technological, and capacity-building support from both local and international partners. 

The event brought together key stakeholders from government, industry, and development partners, with a shared focus on advancing Kenya’s green economy.