The Ministry of Education through the Kenya National Qualification Authority has moved in to certify skilled artisans working in the informal sector.
Under the Recognition of Prior Learning programme, hundreds of youths working in the Jua Kali sector will get certificates that pave the way for them to get jobs.
This came as it emerged that 85 per cent of youths working in the informal sector do not have any form of formal education despite the talent they have in various fields.
Also set to benefit in the programme are hundreds of refugees and immigrants who despite possessing various forms of training they do not have legal documents.
KNQA chairman Dr Kilemi Mwiria said the youths in the informal sector had been ignored for long by the state and the community despite the role they play to the economy.
He said the authority was keen to empower and recognise them under the Recognition of Prior Learning with tens of jobs ready in the abroad market.
“Research indicates that 85 per cent of the youths in the Jua Kali sector do not have any form of education and the authority is keen to certify their qualifications,” he said on Tuesday.
Addressing the press during KNQA retreat in Enashipai Spa in Naivasha, Mwiria said there were hundreds of job opportunities for the group in the US, Europe and Middle East.
“Currently, demand for manual work in Europe and US is high due to the low birth rate and we should take advantage of this to assist our youths,” he said.
Authority CEO Dr Juma Mukwana said the new programme would come in handy in addressing the needs of the youths working in the informal settlement.
“As you are aware, the Kenyan economy is driven by players in the Jua Kali sector and as a country, we have not done very well in appreciating the alternative skills,’ Dr Mukhwana said.
He talked on the need to certify the skilled workers who, although did not undergo structured schooling, still have the ability for the job market.
The qualification, he disclosed, will allow the skilled workers to seek employment opportunities across the borders.
The Officer in Charge of International Labor Organisation Kenya, Caroline Njuki said they were ready to support Kenya with best practices.
“Others who are set to benefit under the programme are hundreds of skilled refugees and immigrants who cannot get appropriate paperwork due to various bottlenecks,” she said.
-Edited by SKanyara
