Refugees in Kenyan re-skilled for the digital economy
In Kenya, civil society organisations are equipping refugees with the digital skills they need to flourish in life.
The collaboration between Na'amal, a UK-based group, and the International Labour group (ILO) prepares displaced people for the digital economy.
The Workforce Readiness for the Digital Economy Programme, which will assist 60 refugees in the counties of Garissa, Turkana, and Nairobi, is aimed to supplement in-demand skills in the future of work, such as creativity and analytical thinking.
The programme takes a holistic approach, integrating skill training, internships, network building, and job placement to provide participants with a comprehensive learning experience.
"This transformative initiative will provide life-changing opportunities for refugees and members of the host community, allowing them to thrive in the digital economy and build sustainable livelihoods," said Lorraine Charles, Na'amal's founder and executive director.
She added that skills acquisition, project-based internship, and job placement are key outcomes of the Workforce Readiness for the Digital Economy Programme.
"The programme demonstrates the ability of job intermediation services to effectively connect and assist digitally skilled refugees and youth from the host community in securing favourable positions in the digital space," said Caroline Njuki, Chief Technical Advisor at ILO PROSPECTS Kenya.
The PROSPECTS partnership is a collaboration of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the World Bank, with funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.