How do you impact a new generation of young people and turn Kenya’s youth bulge into a demographic dividend for decades to come?  Give motivated but disenfranchised youth the opportunity to acquire the skills and support they need to succeed.  In doing so, make sure the skills and coursework of this youth employment model are developed with target employers who are invested in hiring young people to meet the needs of their respective industries and sectors. Finally, match these employers with young employees trained in these core skills needed for success.

 

Generation Kenya is impacting a generation of young people in Kenya through an innovative model that closes the gap between young people who are out of work and employers who are short of skilled employees.

 

Youth unemployment impacts every sector of Kenya’s economy. The unemployment rate is highest among young people between the ages of 18-22, representing over one million youth. Most unemployed youth end up trying to earn a living in the informal sector, as they do not have the requisite skills and opportunities to compete for employment opportunities in the formal economy.

 

Employers looking for new hires often describe a skills mismatch; in short, potential employees do not have the technical and social skills necessary to succeed in today’s workplace.  New employees struggle with not only finding jobs but also keeping them. New employee turnover undermines recruitment strategies in many key sectors.