NAIROBI: September 20, 2024
Nairobi City County in a concerted effort to tackle unemployment and empower the youth and in partnership with the InJob Project, sponsored by the Italian Agency for Development Corporation hosted a mega job fair today at Kiwanja Vocation Training Center.
Focused on enhancing skills development and vocational training, the event attracted hundreds of young people from across the county, eager to showcase their projects, talents, network with potential employers, and explore job opportunities locally and abroad.
County Executive for Talent, Skills Development, and Care, Mr. Brian Mulama, emphasized the County’s efforts to create direct connections between vocational training and employment, aligning with H.E. Governor Sakaja’s mission to equip youth with practical skills for meaningful and sustainable careers.
Mr. Mulama expressed his vision to introduce dual training programs in collaboration with the County government, stating, “Our dual training initiatives will immerse young people in various County sectors, giving them essential hands on experience to complement their education and position them for long-term success. Beyond training, we aim to ensure that graduates from our VTCs are prioritized for opportunities within the County, especially in critical areas like healthcare and public services.”
Chief Officer for Early Childhood Education and Vocational Training, Mr. Ahmed Abdi said, “As part of our efforts to revitalize vocational training, we have introduced driving courses at four centers Mathare, Dandora Greenlight, Waithaka, and Kangemi, this initiative aims to equip our youth with diverse skills and open up immediate job opportunities.”
The event also highlighted the importance of co-curricular activities in shaping well rounded individuals, with 232 trainees from 8 VTCs competing in 35 national-level music categories. Dandora Greenlight VTC was named the overall winner.
Career Development Practitioner and Career Development Association of Kenya Secretary – Scolar Odhiambo emphasized the importance of having a lifelong and Life wide career plan. She said “Job fairs play a crucial role in skill development, connecting trainees with employers and mentors. Career Guidance Tutors at each VTC continue to support trainees in their personal career journeys.”
The Life skills, Wellness, Career Guidance manuals and CoWAric platforms were also launched. They were written in collaboration with the principals, trainers and Injob Lead trainers Nelly Karanja, Scolar Odhiambo respectively.
The event was attended by several County Government Officials Deputy Director Vocational Training Mr. Leonard Mititi, Principals, Trainers from the 11 VTC Centers, Education Officers, InJob Partners, NoOneOut, COWA, Girl Child Network and other stakeholders. Bringing together all the 11 public Vocational Training centers in Nairobi county.
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