Absorbing PSC interns would be prudent

University of Nairobi graduands take a selfie during a graduation ceremony held on September 22, 2017.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

The interns, drawn from all parts of the country, were posted to various ministries, state departments and agencies (MDAs) depending on their individual area of specialisation.

It was a new dawn and a reprieve to a good number of unemployed graduates when the Public Service Commission (PSC) initiated the Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP).

This was aimed at equipping the fresh university graduates with the knowledge and experience required for the job market.
It is 11 months since some 3,100 graduates were recruited to the PSIP through a competitive process by the PSC as the first cohort.
The interns, drawn from all parts of the country, were posted to various ministries, state departments and agencies (MDAs) depending on their individual area of specialisation.

It was a golden opportunity for the graduates in this era when a high rate of unemployment is evident in the country.

So far, the interns have gained a lot of knowledge , skills and experience, which is of great significance to the delivery of services in public institutions, and are most grateful to the PSC for the opportunity.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, their technological know-how has enabled them to work efficiently.

Further, the pandemic has crippled our economy with massive downsizing and even closures among organisations in various sectors of the economy.

This has resulted in mass lay-offs, which translates to minimal chances of the graduates securing a job.

However, it will be deleterious to release the trained and experienced interns after completion of their internship period that will lapse next month.

Rather, the PSC should consider retaining or absorbing the resourceful, result-oriented and progressive interns, who are already equipped for public service work.

With 3,200 workers set to exit the public service this year because of retirements, resignations, promotions and other reasons, the interns are the best bet to refill the gap as they are more conversant with modern technology at the workplace than those whom they would replace.

Further, absorbing the interns would cut recruitment costs, ensure balance as regards regions, gender and special group such as people living with disabilities.

It will also reduce the ever-rising unemployment as thousands of youth graduate from universities and colleges annually, considering that joblessness is a major challenge, especially for youth, across the country.

Approximately 800,000 young Kenyans enter the labour market every year. Youth unemployment is estimated to be as high as 35 per cent nationally, compared with the overall unemployment rate of 10 per cent.
Furthermore, 80 per cent of unemployed Kenyans are under 35.
It would, therefore, be prudent to inject new blood into public service through the interns, who are tailored for the job.
Job Kipruto, Trans Nzoia