The Government has announced plans to collaborate with institutions of higher learning to equip students with the necessary skills for the evolving job market.
As the unemployment rate among young people continues to soar in the country, Principal Secretary (PS) of MSME Development, Susan Mang’eni, said there is a need to prepare learners for the changing world of work, shifting from traditional employment models to job creation.
With the median age in the county being 17 years, PS Mang’eni stated that there was a need for deliberate and targeted measures to be taken to prepare young people for self-employment, including cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset.
Speaking on Friday in Embu, where she graced the 2nd edition of MSMEs Connect Forum and Exhibition at the University of Embu Grounds, the PS said they want students to be in a position to transform their career training into entrepreneurial ventures.
“We want our students not just to wait to be employed but to be able to leverage acquired skills and knowledge to create businesses and also understand practical aspects of starting and running them,” she said.
To this end, the PS stated that they aim to initiate a conversation with the leadership of universities, as well as TVETs and VTCs, to prepare students not only for existing jobs but also for creating their own through entrepreneurship.
“As the Ministry, we also want to see how we can link them up with the interventions we have put in place, such as the Uwezo Fund and the newly initiated Wezesha Kazi Majuu for youths securing jobs abroad,” she said.
Additionally, the PS challenged students to make the most of their free time by engaging in purposeful activities, such as online work, where numerous opportunities for income generation are available.
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“These jobs offer flexibility that can assist students in earning some income and also reduce idle time by adding value to their time and space,” she noted.
She noted that institutions such as Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) are ready to support young people with good ideas in areas of value addition or those who can come together in groups to start manufacturing ventures.
“We want our graduates not to wait for someone to employ them but start thinking about creating their own jobs,” she said.
The forum, organised by the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), under the theme of “Driving Inclusive Growth Through MSME Empowerment”, featured exhibitions by local entrepreneurs, business clinics, and panel discussions on areas such as finance, regulations, innovations, and partnerships.
Some local entrepreneurs attributed their success to government support through MSEA, which has not only trained them but also linked them with markets and had their products certified by KEBS.
By Brian Kaleti
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