The government is moving to formally recognise the skills of at least 68,000 young Kenyans who learned their trades outside colleges and universities, in a bid to widen access to jobs, income, and financial services.
Labour Ministry Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime said the nationwide programme targets youth who acquired skills through experience, apprenticeships, and informal training but have remained locked out of opportunities because they lack certificates.
According to Mwadime, the scale of the programme reflects how widespread the problem has become. Thousands of young people are already skilled and productive, yet are excluded from formal employment simply because they cannot prove it on paper.
“The purpose of these certificates is to ensure Kenyan youths’ skills are recognised both locally and internationally,” Mwadime said, noting that formal recognition will allow young workers to compete fairly in the labour market.
He said many youths have missed out on jobs, tenders, and even loans despite having strong technical ability. He emphasized that lack formal documentation has locked millions of youth out of job opportunities and financial services adding that it’s a matter that raises eye brows.
According to Mwadime, the certification process will start within three to four weeks, after assessments and verification are completed in the targeted counties. Once issued, the certificates will give beneficiaries official proof of competence, making it easier for employers and institutions to engage them.
Mwadime said the programme is also meant to close gaps created by poverty and limited access to education, further noting that the programme aligns with the government’s commitment to ensure that no Kenyan child or youth is left behind due to the inability to pay school fees or access higher education.
From an economic standpoint, bringing 68,000 skilled but informal workers into the recognised labour force is expected to support productivity, expand the tax base, and help businesses tap into a wider pool of verified talent.
