A stakeholders’ workshop by the Corporate Career Academy, held in Nairobi, brought together persons involved in the job market and the education sector in a move towards the attainment of a comprehensive set of initiatives to counter youth unemployment in East Africa. It also aimed at strategizing on how to close the employability skills gap amongst the region’s youth. A landmark report, culled from the historic inaugural East African Employability Summit, EAES23, held last year, has been released, highlighting key measures in aligning young people’s skills with the demands of the work environment.
Key Findings and Recommendations
There were some critical areas which the report identified as needing improvements to enhance the employability of youth:
- Inclusive Education and Skills-Based Training
- Systemic change toward technical and vocational education and training, ensuring that the system gets job-ready graduates out of the school.
- Promotion of skills-based training relevant to the dynamic demands of the workplaces.
- Agile Policy and Governance
- Development of flexible policies that would withstand the uncertainty and rapid changes in the job market.
- Assurance that governance structures accommodate the integration process of new educational frameworks and employment policies.
- Strengthening Industry-Learning Linkages
- Linking educational institutions with industries to resolve the issue of unemployment.
- Practical platforms through internships, apprenticeships, and connections to industry frames.
- Establishment of Innovation Hubs
- Maker spaces and on-campus innovation hubs to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship and startup culture amongst students.
- Resources and support for young entrepreneurs for development and implementation of ideas.
- Embracing Artificial Intelligence and the Gig Economy
- Integrate AI in learning and industry training to make students future-ready.
- Gig economy leveraging to create fluid job opportunities
The Upcoming EAES24 Summit
On the successful completion of EAES23, CCA is announcing the second edition of the East African Employability Summit, EAES24. Co-hosted with @Catholic University of Eastern Africa, the event will take place at its Karen, Nairobi campus from 22-24 October. The summit aspires to further build on the earlier successes in bridging the youth employability skills gap.
According to Philip Pande, the executive director of CCA, “This year’s theme, ‘Building on the Gains; Closing the Youth Employability Skills Gap in East Africa,’ is supposed to take advantage of the momentum created in 2023.” He added that the summit was to be a unique platform where various stakeholders would get an opportunity to think again in the midst of this crisis of unemployment, further exacerbated by the youth bulge coupled with an employability skills gap in the EAC region.
Collaboration for Enhanced Employability
The forum also marked the beginning of a potential relationship between Daystar University and the Corporate Career Academy. Prof Faith Nguru, the DVC in charge of Academic, Research and Student Affairs at Daystar University, called for the two institutions to continue collaborating in bridging the divide between the academic and the industrial world.
“Without a doubt, our joined forces will advance fresh opportunities toward our students, grant them access to the best career development programs, internships, and mentorship opportunities,” said Nguru. Through this, our graduates shall be well-educated but also genuinely industry-ready.”
Addressing Youth Unemployment
Nevertheless, the continent of Africa still experiences high levels of unemployment, with the African Review reporting that Africa tops the worldwide unemployment rates. In this regard, the increase in unemployment is already leading to an increase in mental health challenges, higher crime rates, as well as economic ills like inflation.