More than 600 youth from the Coast region are set to undergo an intensive two-day training on Artificial Intelligence (AI) career tools and soft skills, aimed at enhancing their preparedness for employment opportunities.
BrighterMonday Kenya, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation through the GenerationKazi Programme, is hosting a two-day career clinic and entrepreneurship Summit in Mombasa to equip women and youth with essential skills, mentorship and pathways to dignified work in the region.
The Summit, themed “Empowering Women in Tourism: Creating Pathways to Dignified Work,” brings together women, youth, industry leaders, County government officials and development partners, to strengthen workforce development and entrepreneurship on the Coast.
BrighterMonday Kenya, Senior Specialist Strategy, Geraldine Chepchirchir, said they have been supporting youth in accessing dignified and fulfilling work and also providing employers with a ready pool of skilled candidates.
“We are up-skilling them and reskilling our young people between the ages of 18 and 35 with soft skills training, with employability skills and also entrepreneurship, particularly for those who want to start and run businesses,” explained Chepchirchir.
So far, the partnership has reached over 210,000 youth with relevant job-market skills, with 30,000 securing employment opportunities.
Reaffirming BrighterMonday’s mission to bridge the unemployment gap in Kenya and across Africa, she noted the organisation’s commitment to ensuring youth gain the right skills and access to meaningful job opportunities.
“For those who do not want to get employed, support them with entrepreneurship training, with mentorship, with coaching, to ensure that they get access to dignified and fulfilling work,” she stated, urging women and Persons Living with Disabilities, not to shy away from the opportunities.
Chepchirchir emphasised that they will support the youth with mentorship and coaching to position them as ideal candidates for work opportunities.
Brighter Monday, in partnership with Ajira Digital and Swahilipot hub, will establish a Job Centre in the Port City; similar centres will be set-up in Eldoret, Machakos and Kakamega. The staff at the centres will be engaging employers, identifying existing opportunities and linking the youth.
“Some of the services that we will be offering will include Curriculum Vitae reviews. We have the AI career tool that will potentially make your CV 80 years friendly. We will have an interview preparation. We will have mentorship going on in these same hubs,” she expounded.
Swahilipot Chief Mentor, Mahmoud Noor, said they want the youth to retain their jobs after securing them through ethical behaviour, including honesty, as most employers have raised concerns over dishonesty.
“It is important that we give our youth guidance on life. As a parent, how do you raise your child from five to 14 years old? Which values do you inculcate? The best way to instill values is for you to be a good example,” he advised parents.
Noor emphasised that for companies to thrive, they must have solid foundations of integrity, honesty and equality. He disclosed that the hub will soon roll-out a project with MasterCard Foundation targeting 30,000 youth from Mombasa, Kilifi, Nairobi and Kitui counties, to be mentored in a bid to change their mindsets.
by Sadik Hassan
