NextGen programme seeks to narrow work experience gap for young Kenyan graduates

The Government, private sector leaders and development partners are pushing for greater investment in youth employment as Kenya continues to grapple with the challenge of graduates lacking workplace experience required by employers.

More than 500 young Kenyans have already been placed in companies under the NextGen.Ke youth employment programme, a partnership between the Government of Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance.

The programme aims to connect young graduates with workplace experience through structured internships and mentorship. As stakeholders gathered at Karura Forest for a mentorship and networking walk, calls were made for more companies to absorb interns beyond the placement period.

Speaking during the Walk with NextGen event at Nairobi's Karura Forest, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'Oei said the programme offers young people an opportunity to gain practical skills that cannot be acquired in classrooms alone.

“This is one of those programs that is innovative and is really thinking out of the box, trying to address a problem that exists. Part of the problems faced by our young people is that upon graduation, they are unable to access employment directly because they need experience,” PS Sing'Oei said

The NextGen.Ke programme was launched earlier this year as a partnership between the Government of Kenya, UNDP and KEPSA to place young people in private sector companies for structured internships and workplace learning. The initiative has so far placed more than 500 interns, with a second cohort expected to be selected later this year for deployment next year. The programme was launched in July and initially targets 30,000 young people over three years through internships and skills development opportunities.

UNDP Kenya Resident Representative Dr Jean-Luc Stalon said the initiative is designed to improve employability by preparing young people for long-term careers rather than short-term placements.

“As part of this program, we are inviting the private sector companies to come and exchange notes. The idea is to exchange also experiences. The idea is to have some of those talents picked up so they can have an opportunity to get a job,” said Dr. Stalon

Stalon also urged companies currently hosting interns to consider retaining them after the internship period, arguing that continued employment would help sustain the programme's impact and strengthen the country's workforce.

The event also highlighted growing private sector support for the initiative.

China Road and Bridge Corporation has committed KSh75 million to support implementation of the programme and the onboarding of more than 1,000 youth trainees over the next three years.

Principal Secretary Sing'Oei commended companies that have opened their workplaces to young people, saying private sector participation is critical in helping bridge the transition from education to employment.

“I am extremely grateful to the private sector players who have in a way taken the risk to say they will support this. I also want to upload the leadership role that CRBC is playing in this respect,” PS Sing'Oei said.