Empowering Kenya’s Youth: VML’s Digital Training Initiative Tackles Unemployment
The program also addresses critical social issues by cautioning youth against the negative influences of social media and the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
Graduated but jobless—Kenyan youth demand action on unemployment crisis. Photo/The exchange Africa.
By Juliet Jerotich
In response to the rising challenges of youth unemployment in Kenya, British digital company VML has initiated free training programs aimed at equipping young individuals with essential digital skills for self-employment.
This initiative encourages the youth to leverage digital platforms as viable avenues for economic empowerment, especially as traditional white-collar job opportunities become increasingly scarce.
During these training sessions, participants are taught to utilize various applications for online business, enabling them to advertise and sell products effectively.
Omar Dzimba, one of the beneficiaries, highlighted the impact of technology, stating, “Technology has helped since most people advertise their products online and they get many customers and even sell their products online.”
The program also addresses critical social issues by cautioning youth against the negative influences of social media and the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
By promoting responsible use of digital platforms, the initiative aims to foster a generation that is both technologically savvy and socially responsible.
VML’s commitment to poverty eradication through technology is evident. Cyrus Njeru, a VML representative, emphasized their mission: “We have to give and eradicate poverty here in Kenya by giving employment to our people.” This aligns with the broader goal of mentoring youths across the country to embrace technology as a tool for economic development.
The Kenyan government has also been recognized for its efforts in addressing youth unemployment. Initiatives like the Youth Tech Trek Program, in collaboration with IBM Skills Build, offer virtual training on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science to young individuals in Nairobi.
Such programs aim to bridge the digital divide and provide the youth with skills relevant to the modern job market.
The urgency of these initiatives is underscored by the country’s unemployment statistics. According to the Federation of Kenya Employers, while the overall unemployment rate stands at 12.7%, youths aged 15 to 34, who constitute 35% of the population, face an unemployment rate of 67%.
This stark reality highlights the need for innovative solutions to equip young people with market-driven skills.
As Kenya continues to navigate the challenges of youth unemployment, the collaboration between private sector initiatives like VML’s training programs and government efforts offers a promising pathway towards a digitally empowered and economically self-sufficient youth population.
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