ILO initiatives to enhance skills development among Kenyan youth

By Caroline Mugalla

In a world facing rapid changes and numerous challenges, the theme for World Youth Skills Day 2024 – “Youth Skills for Peace and Development” – underscores the importance of equipping young people with the skills necessary for fostering peace and sustainable development.

The International Labour Organization (ILO), with its long-standing commitment to promoting social justice and decent work, recognises that youth skills development is essential for building resilient societies and achieving inclusive growth. By addressing barriers to education and employment, and promoting market-responsive skills training, the ILO aims to empower youth to drive innovation, economic progress, and social cohesion, thereby contributing to a more stable and prosperous future for all.

As we confront challenges such as economic disparities, social inequalities, technological advancements, evolving labour markets, and environmental sustainability, investing in young people’s skills emerges as a pivotal strategy for building resilient societies and achieving inclusive growth.

The ILO plays a vital role in enhancing market-driven skills development through its Convention No. 142 on Human Resource Development and supplementary recommendations No. 195. These encourage member states to adopt comprehensive policies and programmes of technical and vocational guidance and training, closely linked with employment. This year’s theme highlights the urgency and significance of investing in human capital linked to economic, social, and cultural priorities.

The youth constitute a significant demographic worldwide, with immense potential to drive innovation, creativity, and positive change. However, many young people face barriers to accessing quality education, vocational training, and decent employment opportunities. This situation undermines their individual potential and poses challenges to social stability and sustainable development.

In Kenya, youth aged 15-24 years comprise 20.5 percent of the population, while those aged 18-34 years account for 29 percent. In 2021, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) estimated that 16.9 percent of youth aged 15-34 were Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). Further, 926,100 new jobs were created in Kenya, of which only 18.6 percent were formal sector jobs. Unemployment is highest among those aged 20-24 (19.2 percent), with women accounting for 64 percent. Factors contributing to this trends include a mismatch between the supply and demand for labour and inadequate access to market-responsive education and training.

Youth skills development is fundamental to empowering young people, enhancing their employability, and fostering entrepreneurship. Equipping youth with relevant technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills enhances their economic prospects and strengthens their resilience against socio-economic challenges. Moreover, promoting youth skills development is integral to fostering peaceful societies. Addressing youth unemployment, underemployment, and exclusion through skills training reduces social inequalities and mitigates the risk of conflict. It promotes social cohesion by providing pathways for young people to engage constructively, build resilience, and shape positive futures.

The ILO advances this initiative through its flagship programme – Jobs for Peace and Resilience (JPR) – aimed at contributing to more peaceful and resilient societies through employment, decent work, and social dialogue. JPR translates ILO’s Recommendation 205 on employment and decent work for peace and resilience into tangible action by combining various technical approaches that create jobs, reinforce skills, and promote private sector and local economic development.

Skills development and educational attainment have been identified as key drivers of employability and poverty eradication in Kenya in Vision 2030. Skills development should encompass technical competencies and core skills such as communication, adaptability, and entrepreneurship. These skills are essential for fostering resilience, enabling lifelong learning, and ensuring young people are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. By investing in vocational training, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship programmes, we can empower youth to become active contributors to the economy, agents of change, and champions of social progress.

Recognising that education is a right for all, the ILO’s skills development initiatives in Kenya are guided by five complementary and mutually reinforcing pillars:

• Improved policies, governance, and financing for effective skills development and lifelong learning
• Strengthened skills-needs intelligence
• Innovative and flexible learning programmes and pathways
• Inclusive skills programmes catering to diverse labour market needs
• Promotion of quality apprenticeships and work-based learning for enhanced employability, productivity, and sustainable enterprises.

The theme of World Youth Skills Day 2024 aligns with the ILO’s mission to promote decent work for all. Investing in youth skills development is an economic necessity and a powerful tool for promoting social inclusion, cohesion, and equity. By ensuring young people have access to quality education and decent work opportunities, we can break cycles of poverty and inequality.

Governments, educational institutions, and the private sector must join forces to ensure the successful implementation of skilling initiatives, as emphasised in the ILO’s Recommendation 208 on Quality Apprenticeships. Adequate funding, policy support, and stakeholder collaboration are crucial to realising the transformative potential of education and skills training. By fostering strong partnerships and creating an enabling environment, we can ensure no one is left behind, and the full potential of individuals and communities is realised.

ILO calls for strengthened international cooperation to address the global challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment. Sharing best practices, mobilising resources, and fostering partnerships across borders are essential for creating a future where all young people can realise their full potential. Let us seize the opportunity presented by World Youth Skills Day 2024 to reaffirm our commitment to unlocking the transformative power of skills and education and work towards a world where every young person has the opportunity to develop their skills, fulfil their potential, and contribute to a future of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

Here is a downloadable PDF containing accounts of how three of our key partners in Kenya support skills development among young people.

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Caroline Mugalla is the ILO Country Director for the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda