33 Kenyan youth selected for vocational training, job opportunities in Germany

The announcement was made during the Kenya-Germany Skills and Labour Mobility Forum held in Nairobi, which brought together German employers, Kenyan technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, government representatives, development partners and labour mobility practitioners.

The one-day forum focused on strengthening cooperation between Kenya and Germany in skills development, ethical recruitment and the creation of safe and structured pathways for Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.

The 33 successful candidates form the second cohort under the Talent Gateway Programme, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Government.

Their selection follows the departure of 31 Kenyan trainees to Germany in August 2026, where they embarked on vocational training in the hospitality and landscaping sectors.

The latest cohort was selected through a competitive recruitment process involving initial screening interviews, practical aptitude assessments and final interviews conducted by eight participating hotels in Germany.

Before travelling, the selected candidates will undergo preparatory training in Kenya, covering German language skills, hospitality competencies and intercultural orientation to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to adapt to Germany's workplace environment.

They will subsequently proceed to Germany for a two-year dual vocational training programme combining classroom instruction with practical workplace experience.

Upon successful completion, the trainees will receive recognised German vocational qualifications, enhancing their prospects for employment and career advancement in the hospitality industry.

Speaking during the forum, German Ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, reaffirmed Germany's commitment to strengthening skills development and labour mobility cooperation between the two countries.

The Ambassador stressed that equipping young people with relevant skills should take precedence over migration, noting that proper preparation is essential for successful international employment.

"You have to develop skills first, and then you have migration second," Ambassador Groth said.

He also praised Kenya's dual vocational training model, which combines theoretical instruction with practical industry experience, describing the approach as important in aligning training with labour market demands.

"This combination of practical skills and theoretical skills is quite important," he said, while encouraging stronger collaboration between employers, training institutions and government agencies.

Speaking on behalf of the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Secretary for Administration Moses Ivuto said ethical recruitment and adequate preparation must remain central to international labour mobility programmes.

Ivuto emphasised the need to protect Kenyan workers from exploitation by ensuring they understand their employment contracts, recruitment costs, rights and working conditions before departure.

He said candidates must be given sufficient time to review employment documents and receive clear information about their obligations before signing contracts.

Representing the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Director of the Skills and Expertise Division Irene Karari described the partnership as an important avenue for connecting Kenya's growing youth workforce with Germany's demand for skilled professionals.

Karari said the initiative would support economic empowerment and skills development while ensuring that Kenyans working abroad are adequately prepared and their welfare protected.

She noted that cooperation in education, vocational training and recruitment would help both countries address their respective labour market needs while creating sustainable opportunities for young Kenyans.

Beyond hospitality and landscaping, the Talent Gateway Programme is also expanding into other sectors, with applications for Food Processing Technicians currently ongoing.

The programme is part of efforts to implement the Kenya-Germany Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership signed in September 2024.

The agreement seeks to establish safe and structured labour mobility pathways, strengthen vocational training systems in Kenya and address Germany's demand for skilled workers.

Through continued collaboration between the two governments, employers, training institutions and development partners, the initiative aims to ensure international employment opportunities translate into sustainable career development, skills transfer and long-term economic benefits for both countries.