Gov’t aligns Kenyan skills with local and global job market demands

Catherine Kamau-PCO

The Government is assessing and aligning the skills of Kenyans with the demands of both the local and international job markets.

This move, according to Labour and Skills Principal Secretary, Shadrack Mwadime, is aimed at ensuring the Kenyan curriculum remains relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of various industries.

"It is immoral for a young person to spend 14 years in school only to face unemployment afterward," PS Mwadime said.

He emphasized the need for young people to be guided in selecting courses that will increase their chances of employment after graduation.

Speaking at Buguta Social Hall in Taita Taveta County where he distributed free seedlings to the community, PS Mwadime revealed that the government, through his State Department, has established Sector Skill Committees.

These committees will focus on key industries such as agriculture, construction, and other vital sectors within Kenya. The committees are made up of experienced practitioners who will carefully assess each sector, identify skill gaps, and propose solutions to bridge them.

"Once these gaps are identified and addressed, we will see growth in these sectors," Mwadime said.

"The Sector Skill Committees will also serve as sector growth committees, contributing directly to economic development," he said.

The PS also said these committees will be officially launched on Jamhuri Day this year, with a focus on the theme of "Jobs, Labour Migration, and Entertainment."

This is part of a broader strategy known as the National Strategy for Skills Development, which aims to optimize Kenya's labour force and prepare the youth for the increasing demand for skills in the global job market, he said.

According to PS Mwadime, these initiatives will directly contribute to the country’s economic growth in the next three years, creating a more favorable environment for job creation and reducing unemployment rates.

“There is hope for our economy. We have seen a positive shift with inflation dropping from double digits to single digits.

“I’m encouraging young Kenyans to realize that our economy has immense potential. There are increasing opportunities for them to be absorbed into the workforce," the PS reiterated.

“Our economy is on a positive trajectory, and this will create more opportunities for Kenyans," he added.

Further, Mwadime urged parents in Taita Taveta to encourage their children to seize available opportunities, whether skilled or unskilled, as these experiences will provide valuable

skills for the future.

"There's no sense in idling and turning down opportunities. It is unrealistic to expect the government to absorb every worker immediately. Young people should take on available jobs, whether in Kenya or abroad, and gain experience," he said.

Mwadime also highlighted the importance of small economic ventures, encouraging parents to engage in income-generating activities.

He shared an example of how he had bought the seedlings he distributed from local farmers, whom he had encouraged a year ago to start planting.

As the government continues to implement these strategies, there is renewed hope that Kenya's youth will soon be better equipped to navigate the job market, locally and globally, the PS stated.