Gov't to align Youth empowerment initiatives with job market demands, says Mudavadi

The government through relevant institutions is working towards ensuring key strategies and efforts aimed at empowering youth graduates are aligned with the demands of the current job market.

This with an aim of producing highly skilled graduates who are not only employable but also capable of driving innovation and economic growth through self-employment, Prime Cabinet Musalia Mudavadi has said.

Mudavadi said the youth are key actors in nation building as they are the future of a nation and play an integral part within the societal social fabric.

“As we work collectively to resolve the challenges we are facing as a country, I am appealing to the young people as they speak to us on governance and economic issues, they should not undermine the credentials of the disciplined, hardworking and focused youth population of Kenya.”  urged Mudavadi.

Mudavadi also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, noted with emphasis the positive global reputation accorded to the Kenyan youth beyond boarders saying their grievances should not water down the remarkable global achievements they have earned globally.

He told the youth in every action they undertake, humility, discipline, integrity and adherence to the rule of law should be the beacon driving their agenda.

“As the young people of this nation, your character and ability should reflect and remain to be the pivotal roadmap of where you want to go as an individual and collectively for the future of our country.” said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi said youth empowerment should not be misconstrued to portray a generation that is up to infringe more harm than good to nationhood.

He said the ability of the Kenyan youth in transforming the industrial sector should be a driving factor to attract investors rather than scare potential industrialists.

“The youth should take a moment and reflect on the issues they are canvasing soberly.

I urge them to have a moment of meditation and take a step back. I want them to understand that the leadership and those in authority are listening and working towards offering a solution.” he appealed.

“We have made mistakes and there is no regime that has passed without making a mistake. As human being once in a while you stumble, even our fore-fathers made mistakes but they held on to the country. Kenya must not go down. The country is bigger than all of us.” he added.

Mudavadi emphasized the need of peace and stability as an anchor as the country moves forward saying there must be a clear indication that peace and stability are critical credential for the prosperity of the nation.

“Countries have taken up to 40 years to show a sign of recovery and get back to their feet as a result of instability. I am appealing to the youth to reflect on what is happening in some of our neighboring countries like Sudan, so disheartening and sad.” he regretted.

He cited the current situation in the country urging that it should not be downplayed or taken for granted by both the leadership and those in authority as well as the citizens as countries that have sunk into conflicts and war and lives have been ruined due to massive killings and people being displaced due to lack of law and order.

“If you are now 18 or 20 years sold, imagine 40 years trying to come out of a conflict within a country thrown into the turmoil, how will your life be within that period?” he posed. 

“When children don’t go to school, businesses and people’s livelihoods are being destroyed what kind of a future are you building as a nation? I appeal to Kenyans that it is not fashionable to have a country in a crisis.” Mudavadi regretted.

Mudavadi has re-assured the youth of the government’s commitment to have some of the skilled graduates offered opportunities in the foreign labour market saying that through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya is inking key bilateral labour agreements to streamline the engagements.

“We are working on various agreements within the European Union framework and extending also to the Gulf Countries. We want to anchor the engagements on proper legal framework that will support our young people as they take up the opportunities in the foreign labour market.” he noted.

“Currently, we are almost finalizing one with Germany, where 250,000 skilled people are needed globally to fill the gap and we want Kenya to take a sizable share of these opportunities.” added Mudavadi.

Mudavadi urged the Kenyan youth ton exercise patience and a little tolerance saying the good talent within the Kenyan youth should be positively nurtured rather than being destroyed since once the economy bounce back to its feet, back home the bulk of the jobs that will be created will call for the Kenyan youth to actively take up the work.

Mudavadi was speaking when he launched the Technical and Vocational Education and Training, (TVET-CDACC) strategic plan 2023-2027, at the Kenya School of TVET in Gigiri, Nairobi.

The plan is a significant roadmap towards aligning key strategies and efforts within the TVET institutional framework and the demands of the labor market from the TVET graduates.

“This comprehensive plan should act as a blue-print for all players in the TVET sector, in outlining the vision, goals, and strategies for the next five years, aimed at producing highly skilled graduates capable of driving technology, research and innovation for progressive economic growth.” said Mudavadi in his remarks.