NYS and 1,500 Rural Vocational Training Centers Forge Alliance to Address Youth Skill Gap
Moses Kuria, Cabinet Secretary of the Kenyan government, has announced a training collaboration between the National Youth Service (NYS) and 1,500 rural Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) to address the mismatch between skills graduates have and industry needs.
The partnership, subject to approval by the Council of Governors, will equip tutors in targeted VTCs with the capacity to anticipate and be aware of local, regional, and global labour market dynamics. Previously, the VTCs were youth or village polytechnics.
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The collaboration aims to provide a platform for young people to showcase their innovations and talents, connecting them with mentors and potential employers. With four to five million unemployed youth in Kenya, a lack of skills is a top concern. Starting next year, the NYS plans to increase the number of recruits to 50,000 per year and 100,000 by 2027.
Biometric Centres will be established at all VTCs, where personal details of trainees will be captured and forwarded to the Immigration Department, which will process passports for all learners.
Kuria emphasises the need for focused attention towards building human capital that will drive industries through skills development, with the manufacturing sector being the guaranteed provider of productive, sustainable jobs.
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The NYS recruitment exercise took place from February 5–9, 2024, seeking at least 15,000 recruits. The government has expanded training facilities to accommodate the increased number of recruits, and the Ministry’s commitment to working with institutions, the private sector, and the donor community is evident.
Investment in skill development plays a crucial role in the Asian Tiger economies and the development of the Japanese and North American economies. The partnership will equip the youth to become competent employees in the manufacturing sector.
NYS and 1,500 Rural Vocational Training Centers Forge Alliance to Address Youth Skill Gap
