Kenya launches urgent digital skills drive as pandemic hits labour market
Kenya
,
16 Feb 2021
With over a million Kenyans having lost their source of income due to COVID-19, the government, through its Industrialisation Ministry, is partnering with Microsoft Kenya and Stanbic Bank to equip job-seekers with digital skills.
Speaking at the launch of the Global Skills Initiative in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development, Betty Maina said the future for government services is embedded in digital transformation.
“The Kenya government believes technology will play a key role in transforming the economy and creating employment. In this regard, we welcome the private sector in supporting the government’s efforts to advance our digital strategy, particularly with regards to industrialisation, trade and enterprise development," said Maina.
Through the five-year initiative, several online courses will be rolled out on- and available through LinkedIn. The intention is to train over 1,000 government employees across counties and ensure 2,000 youths are employed by year-end.
The courses cover a range of skill sets including design thinking, customer services, and programming.
Chief Executive for Stanbic Bank Kenya, Charles Mudiwa said, “We had set an initial target of 50,000 people in Kenya and will reach out to more in subsequent phases as we work to empower and uplift Kenyans to continue innovating themselves and to achieve their dreams.”
According to Microsoft, the global labour market will need around 150 million new tech jobs over the next five years, with many other traditional jobs becoming tech-enabled.
The company believes collective action is immediately required to stem the impact of the pandemic on employment or further social and economic disparity, as well as the widening skills gap.
“Addressing the growing skills gap within Kenya through both short- and longer-term initiatives such as this will continue ensuring that youth within the region can gain employment and address socio-economic issues at a grassroots level,” says Kendi Nderitu, Country Manager at Microsoft in Kenya.