Local innovation hub using virtual reality to train Kenyan youth on highly sought after MIG welding skills

The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Hub, the brainchild of Jane Muigai, is leveraging virtual reality to impart life changing skills, with the aim being preparing the Kenyan youth for the global job market.

At the hub's training ground in Kikuyu, Kiambu county, the youth are meticulously taken through Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, one of the highly recommended skills in the construction and engineering sector. 

"For us at Toolkit we focus on skills. This idea came about when I was working as an international civil servant with UNHCR. The inspiration for Toolkit came from going to refugee camps, IDP camps in Sudan, in Liberia, and for me the biggest shock was always, what is the opportunity for a youth in Africa? My inspiration was, where does opportunity meet this youth? And the opportunity lies in skills if we can use the latest technologies," Jane Muigai says.

After the training through virtual reality, the trainees are then taken to the actual workshop where they further hone their skills.

The training takes three months after which Toolkit connects the trains to partner organisations who offer them industrial attachment. 

"Once they are in industry we monitor and track them and we continue to make sure that they are honing the skill and they are gaining work experience. And the best example is 14 young men and women who are working as MIG welders in France, a city called Laval," Jane added.

Michelle Wambui is a trainee hoping to get similar opportunities.

"I have a diploma in automotive engineering. The automotive sector really needs MIG welders, especially panel beating. I would like to take this MIG welding career to the automotive sector so that I can go to other countries like Germany and make those German vehicles," Michelle said.

Apart from welding, the hub is also training on energy and solar technology and modern day organic farming. 

"We are training an electrician combined with a solar technician. We have a demo farm. Labour mobility with just semi-skilled or unskilled workers, we are just getting into slavery. For us to industrialise this continent, we must embrace the latest skills and technologies. World class technology will lead to world class jobs, dignified jobs and respect for our people," Jane concluded.