By Taalia Kwekwe
In a bold step to equip the youth with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in the job market, the USAID organization has launched a program called USAID EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS FOR YOUTH.
The Sh1 billion training program aims to transform the lives of young people in four counties: Mombasa, Kilifi, Nakuru, and Machakos.
The initiative is a strategic partnership between USAID and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVETs) institutions to provide youth with the tools and connections needed to secure meaningful employment opportunities.
Speaking at the launch of the program during the inaugural Kilifi International Investment Conference held in Vipingo Ridge Golf Course, USAID Mission Director Kenya and East Africa David Gosney said the program offers young people, especially those facing limited opportunities, skills development and aligning training with market needs that will ensure the youth acquire the hands-on experience that employers value.
“When you invest a little in youth when you show that you believe in them, they do amazing things, and that is the philosophy that underlines our new project, which is investing in youth and providing them with skills which we have high confidence will help them get a job,” said Gosney.
Gosney said that they have partnered with TVETS and educational institutions as well as private sector partners to understand the skills they are looking for.
He said this ensures that the curriculum is tailored to meet the demands of the job market, which will help the youth transition seamlessly from the classroom to the workforce.
He added that they will invest Sh1 billion in the program over five years to facilitate the training for the 16,000 youths. At least 11,000 of those who graduate will get direct placement opportunities in three of the most promising sectors: information technology, textile and apparel, and pharmaceuticals.
“Our goal with this new initiative is simple: make sure TVETs train young Kenyans on the exact skills that new employers want.”
“We estimate this new initiative will create at least 11,000 new jobs. It will also create long-lasting links between employers and TVETs, which we know will bear fruit that will long outlast USAID’s initial investment,” Gosney said.
Furthermore, Gosney said that they have invested Sh770 million (6M USD) in firms which have created about 7,000 jobs in Kilifi County.
However, he said that county governments and private sector partners need to work together to build a future where people have access to the opportunities they need to succeed, thus ensuring job creation and economic stability.
The deputy chief of the party for the USAID employment pathways for youth program, Corrinne Ngurukie (also CEO at Generation Kenya), said that the program is designed to ensure that Kenyan young people are linked to employment opportunities through working with TVETs by ensuring their programs are in line with the demands in the industries.
“The ultimate goal is to get young people employment, not just any type of job but dignified work. We will work with employers who give minimum wage and above and also allow youth to grow and get promoted so that they can meet their daily financial needs,” said Ngurukie.
Ngurukie said that they have partnered with the United States International University (USIU) and Edison State Community College, which will use their expertise to build the capacity of the TVETs in the selected areas.
She also encouraged the youth to think about their long-term goals by developing a vision board. This would enable them to stay focused on their goals and track their progress. This would also foster a growth mindset, encouraging them to remain open to new opportunities and not limit themselves based on notions about what constitutes a good job.
“Our approach is to identify where the jobs are and then train for those jobs. It is not about training and then looking for those jobs, and that is what we are bringing to TVETs,” she said.
