Kenya has implemented a nationwide skills certification initiative targeting young Kenyans who gained technical skills outside traditional educational institutions, with the objective of enhancing employment opportunities and economic participation.
During a televised address on January 27, Labour Ministry Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime announced that the program will benefit young people throughout Kenya, particularly those who were unable to access formal education because of financial or social limitations.
Mwadime indicated that the Ministry anticipates issuing certificates to 68,000 young people under the initiative, which formally acknowledges abilities acquired through hands-on experience, apprenticeships, and non-formal training.
He highlighted that numerous skilled Kenyans have been excluded from employment prospects and financial services solely due to the absence of formal credentials, despite having valuable expertise.
‘These certificates aim to ensure that the skills of Kenyan youth are acknowledged both within the country and internationally,’ Mwadime stated, noting that the certification will improve the mobility and competitiveness of young Kenyans in the job market.
The Principal Secretary disclosed that certificate distribution will commence in approximately three to four weeks, after assessments and verification procedures are finalized across the selected regions.
He stressed that the initiative aligns with the government’s wider pledge to guarantee that no Kenyan child or young person is excluded from opportunities because of inability to afford tuition or access higher education.
Through the certification of non-formal skills, the government intends to empower individuals at the lower economic levels, allowing them to pursue employment, compete for contracts, or launch small enterprises with enhanced credibility.
Mwadime further mentioned that certified young people will be better positioned to access financial services including loans, grants, and credit facilities, which typically demand evidence of skills or qualifications.
This program forms part of continuing labor and youth empowerment efforts aimed at narrowing the disconnect between education, skills development, and the actual demands of Kenya’s employment landscape.
The certification follows years after President Uhuru, via the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), initiated recognition of prior learning.
The certification initiative corresponds with the ruling party’s ‘Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda’, which seeks to uplift the most disadvantaged segments of society.