Gov’t pushes creative economy jobs as 2,700 youth complete digital skills programme

A total of 2,700 youths have completed a government-backed digital skills programme aimed at preparing them for careers in the country's fast-growing creative economy, as efforts intensify to expand employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the digital space.

The graduates completed a five-day hybrid training under the Jitume Digital Media Tools Sensitisation Workshop, an initiative by the Technopolis Development Authority that introduced participants to emerging technologies, industry practices and career opportunities in digital media.

The programme attracted participants from across the country and exposed them to creative professions including photography, videography, graphic design, video editing and social media management.

According to the organisers, participants also gained practical experience in professional workflows, Artificial Intelligence-enabled solutions, entrepreneurship and the evolving demands of the creative industry.

Hosted at the Jitume Digital Media Factory in Nairobi's General Post Office (GPO), the workshop was delivered in partnership with the Kenya Film Commission, Postal Corporation of Kenya and Genesis Design Factory.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, Technopolis Development Authority Chief Executive Officer John Paul Okwiri said the programme demonstrated the growing demand among young people for digital and creative skills.

"This graduation is a testament to the ever-growing creative industry in our country. We had a total number of nearly 3000 participants signing up for this workshop, which showcases the hunger for young creatives to nurture and further their skills while showcasing the need for more cohorts to be conducted across the country," said Okwiri.

"We have seen young videographers, photographers, graphic designers, social media managers & content developers/editors take the initiative to gather here, network and grow their skills in order to ultimately raise the standard within the creative space. It is therefore extremely important to continue supporting them through workshops like this to ensure we grow the sector," he added.

The graduation ceremony brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, technology institutions, development partners and the media, providing participants with an opportunity to showcase their work and engage potential employers and industry professionals.

Organisers said the initiative helped increase awareness of careers in the creative economy, strengthened connections between young creatives and industry players, and enhanced participants' understanding of Artificial Intelligence and its role in creative industries.

The programme also sought to expand pathways to employment, freelancing and entrepreneurship by exposing participants to opportunities within Kenya's growing digital economy.

The Jitume Digital Enablement Programme is a Government of Kenya initiative that seeks to equip young people with market-relevant digital skills, innovation capabilities and pathways to employment through a network of digital hubs and specialised learning facilities across the country.