Duncan Murithi, a fourth-year university student, feels he is not ‘career ready’ and he admits he does not have the skills to secure his first job in a year or so.
Murithi, from Kiereni in Chuka, confessed he does not feel confident as he prepares to enter the job market, attributing it to the fact that he did not have adequate career guidance and preparation.
“I can say that the only career guidance I got was from my secondary school teachers, my parents and uncle. I went to a technical institute for one year and now in university but I feel ill-prepared for the job market,” said Murithi.
It is with that in mind that the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) launched a mentorship programme for universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, to nurture the next generation of professionals.
Speaking at Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) in an event that drew universities and TVET institutions from Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, KIPPRA Executive Director Dr Rose Ngugi said the aim was capacity building of young professionals.
Dr Ngugi said the institute, established in 1997 and domiciled in the National Treasury and Economic Planning, have programmes to build the capacity of young professionals in the tertiary institutions to enhance their employment opportunities.
Their mentorship programme for universities and TVET institutions also provides a networking opportunity that prepares students for the job markets.
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“We give them a clear picture where they can contribute. It does not mean because they are students they are not stakeholders,” she said.
KIPPRA Board Chairman Dr Benson Ateng’ said universities were key partners of the institute as the staff and students at the higher learning institutions had a significant contribution to the development process.
“That is why we have this mentorship programme for the students so that they start participating in public policy making processes while they are still students, so that when they graduate they can be even much more effective in their contribution,” Ateng’ said.
MUST’s Prof Eustace Mwenda said the universities partnership with KIPPRA in the mentorship programme was what was needed as it brought together students, academic staff and other utility agencies.
By John Majau
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