Most employers are currently looking from employees who can hack distanced working and apply digital skills, a new report shows.
According to the Labour Market Assessment 2021 report, published by Inclusive Futures, the shift in the job market will see increased opportunities for people with disabilities but only if they are supported.
“Businesses across Kenya have been disrupted by Covid-19 and are looking at how to build back,” said Moses Chege, Country Director, Kenya.
Chege noted with the future of work being more remote and digitally inclined in Kenya, it isan imperative to support job seekers with disabilities to acquire deeper digital skills.
“The pay-off for this will not only be a more equal and fair landscape for people with disabilities, but also an increasingly large, competent workforce for businesses to tap into,” he said
A report by MercyCorps predicts that by 2030, nearly 55 per cent of all jobs in Kenya will require digital skills, nearly three times the demand pre-pandemic.
These will range from foundational skills such as web research through to Advanced skills such as Robot Process Automation.
“The barriers and vulnerabilities of people with disabilities with higher support needs, such as people with autism, in employment, are considerable in Kenya and must be prioritised,” said Chege.
Inclusive Futures is a flagship disability development inclusion program funded by UK aid.
It brings together global leaders and specialists from 16 organisations to test and deliver innovations for people with disabilities in education, healthcare and livelihoods.
In a bid to support disabled persons , the Kenya Bankers Association yesterday launched the deaf eLimu banking website and mobile application,.
The software will support bank employees to learn basic KSL, facilitating better communication with deaf bank clients.
Such initiatives are welcome, as the world marks international day of people with disabilities today.
