Ministry of Labour partners with CCA, EABC for employment summit

The State Department of Labour and Skills Development in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has announced a partnership with Corporate Career Academy, CCA the East African Business Council, EABC and other stakeholders to co-create, convene and co-host the 2nd Annual East African Employability Summit 2024 (EAES24). 

Riding on the tremendous milestones achieved in the inaugural summit EAES23 and the second Uongozi Career Awards, the EAES24 is scheduled for October 29-30 at the Kenyatta International Convention Center, Nairobi under the theme Building on the Gains: Closing on the Youth Employability Skills Gap in the East African Community. 

The overarching objective of the East African Employability Summit 2024 is to reflect on the decade of progress, revamp strategies and build synergies in dealing with the employment challenge in the region which is further compounded by the mismatch between skills and jobs.  

Dr. Wanjiru Kariuki, Secretary Skills Development was appointed to chair the multi-stakeholders team tasked with delivering this all-important summit. Other government MDAs also involved in the planning of this landmark event include the State departments for EAC, Digital Economy, Diaspora Affairs, TVET and Higher Education, Youth, KALRO, and the Public Service among others.

Notable private sector partners supporting the summit are members of the East African Business Council from the 8 member states, Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Kenya Association of Manufacturers and eMobilis.

"The Ministry of Labour and the government of Kenya find the employability conversation fundamental when demographic evidence points at the East African region as the youngest on the continent. The summit is also in tandem with the president's devotion to creating opportunities home and away," remarked Shadrack Mwadime, Principal Secretary, Labour and Skills Development.

The experts also noted difficulties that come with the youth transcending the Kenya borders to neighbouring EAC countries.

"This coupled with the increasing number of young people acquiring refugee or immigrant statuses in the region demands urgent solutions. We believe that entrenching skills for employment, navigating labour migration and overall mobility of the youth will catalyse regional integration," said Philip Pande- Executive Director, CCA.

Moses Kanyesigye, Regional Coordinator, SMEs, Youth & Women- EABC

Moses Kanyesigye, Regional Coordinator, SMEs, Youth & Women noted that EABC is committed to onboarding a collaborative business community to deepen the conversation on training with industry to meet skills and labour demand.

On her part, Wanjiru Kariuki, the Secretary of Skills Development  invite more stakeholders to co-create with the ministry for a lasting impact

"I am delighted to be driving this agenda with a team of transformers representing a cross-section of diverse stakeholders focused on nothing less than training, skilling and equipping the youth with 21st-century and-demand skills for employment and entrepreneurship," she said.