Kenyan youth turn to vocational skills as white-collar jobs shrink

At The Toolkit Innovation Hub, Salome Ndung'u is among the students pursuing welding, a trade long regarded as a preserve for men.

Ndung'u said the field is full of opportunities to innovate and build products that can compete in the market. She is eyeing the automotive sector both locally and internationally, adding that the skills she has acquired through modern technology have prepared her for the leap.

Fellow student Samuel Njuguna has set his sights on the international job market after completing the welding course.

He said advanced technology in welding has opened up numerous avenues to explore, revealing that he plans to build his own vehicle.

According to instructor Daniel Omondi, the incorporation of virtual reality (VR) technology into the welding course is helping students sharpen their skills within a shorter period.

He said the technology also cuts material wastage, allowing learners to attempt as many samples as possible virtually before moving to the actual workshop.

Omondi added that the training is tailored to the modern job market, with the institution recording a 100 percent transition to employment.

The Toolkit principal Sylvester Birundi said the institution has been accredited by the International Institute of Welding, making its certificates acceptable globally.

He said the six-month short course equips students with skills in readiness for opportunities in the market, adding that the institution has sought partnerships with players in the manufacturing, marine, construction and automotive sectors to secure jobs for its graduates.

For Abigail Njahira, who works as a welder at a local company, the scarcity of white-collar jobs pushed her to explore vocational skills. In a male-dominated field, she said welding is not just a job but a career she intends to pursue further to become an international welder, urging women not to shy away from such trades as they are well-paying.

Simon Wambugu spent years hunting for a white-collar job before enrolling in a welding class, after which he secured a position he has held for the past year.

He urged young people to be more selective about the work they take on, noting there are plenty of opportunities in the informal sector.

Ann Nyokabi, the officer in charge of youth skills, said the institution trains students on well-researched career pathways to ensure they do not miss out on job opportunities.

She said they also work to help learners realise their full potential and achieve their desired career goals.