Over 1,800 youth have today graduated from the KCB Foundation’s 2Jiajiri youth technical skills and job creation programme. These are from 14 Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) centres across the country, marking a transformative milestone in the country’s vocational training and employment agenda.
A milestone in youth empowerment
The training is courtesy of a year-long partnership between KCB Foundation and Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works programme. The partnership aims to enable young people to access dignified work. Set to increase income generation by skilling 8,500 youth in various economic sectors. It’s therefore targeting 70% women, leading to the creation of 43,000 jobs in the country.
Equipping youth for entrepreneurship
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Nairobi University square, KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director Mrs. Annastacia Kimtai said: “We are deliberate about addressing youth unemployment and unlocking their potential through technical vocational skills training. This is why, as a bank, we pair this up with enterprise development training to equip our youth to set up their enterprises in key economic sectors with high market demand.”
Salim Mvurya, the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, handed over 738 business start-up toolkits to graduates to kickstart their entrepreneurial journey. Therefore, marking a significant step in their quest to run successful business enterprises.
By focusing on enterprise development across key economic sectors, including agribusiness, construction, automotive engineering, beauty and personal care, and ICT, the 2Jiajiri programme seeks to unlock sustainable income opportunities and catalyze the creation of thousands of jobs in the country.
Furthermore, the project offers support in technical vocational education and training for vulnerable youth for a period of six to nine months. This is achieved through practical-oriented vocational training, life skills, and work readiness training. Also, enterprise development skills are necessary to drive employment opportunities and wealth creation.
Hands-on training for real-world impact
Furthermore, each training intake consists of six months of classroom and three months of industrial attachment practical training to address the skills gaps. The trainees are then funneled into employment opportunities once they complete their attachment. However, those interested in establishing their micro-enterprises are supported by KCB’s Business Development Services (BDS). Additionally, it’s equipped with trade-specific toolkits and start-up working capital by KCB Bank through the Foundation.
Long-term impact and investment
To date, the 2Jiajiri programme has created over 179,822 jobs. Over 40,063 youth are receiving hands-on technical and vocational skills training in key industry sectors. KCB has disbursed KShs. 267 million in business startup loans and 2,225 startup toolkits. This is issued to enable the youth to deliver high-quality work across their respective trade.