Wananchi Opinion: When university graduates don’t fit the job market

The skills gap among university graduates in Kenya has been a growing concern for employers, educators, and policymakers.

Many graduates struggle to find jobs, not necessarily due to a lack of job opportunities but because they do not possess the skills required by employers.

This mismatch between academic qualifications and industry needs hinders economic growth and individual career progression.

The skills gap is caused by various factors, including outdated curricula, limited industry linkages, lack of practical training, and inadequate career guidance.

Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach involving educational reforms, stronger partnerships between universities and industries, and better career preparedness programs.

Some of the causes of the skills gap among Kenyan university graduates include the following:

Outdated university curricula. One of the primary causes of the skills gap in Kenya is the outdated curriculum in universities.

Many university programs still focus on theoretical knowledge rather than practical skills.

While theoretical understanding is essential, the rapid advancements in technology and industry require graduates to have up-to-date, practical knowledge.

Unfortunately, many universities fail to revise their curricula regularly to align with industry demands.

For example, in fields such as Information Technology (IT) and engineering, where trends change frequently, universities often teach outdated programming languages or engineering concepts that are no longer relevant in the job market.

Limited industry linkages. Many universities in Kenya operate independently of the industries they are supposed to prepare graduates for.

This lack of collaboration results in students being trained in environments that do not reflect actual workplace conditions.

Internships and industrial attachments are often either too short or poorly structured, making it difficult for students to gain hands-on experience.

Without exposure to real-world work environments, graduates struggle to transition from academic learning to professional practice.

Lack of practical training. Most university programmes in Kenya focus heavily on lectures and exams rather than hands-on learning.

Practical training opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, and project-based learning are either inadequate or non-existent in some programs.

As a result, students graduate without essential skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, which are highly valued in the workplace.

For example, graduates in mechanical engineering may lack hands-on experience with modern machinery, making them less competitive in the job market.

Inadequate career guidance and soft skills development. Many graduates in Kenya also struggle with employability because they lack soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Universities often emphasize academic performance but do not adequately prepare students for workplace interactions, leadership, and decision-making.

Additionally, career guidance services in many universities are either weak or absent, leaving students unaware of the skills required in their chosen fields or how to navigate job searches effectively.

Mismatch between graduate expectations and industry needs. Many graduates have unrealistic expectations about the job market, assuming that a degree alone guarantees employment.

This mindset is partly due to the traditional belief that higher education is the key to success.

However, the reality is that employers prioritize skills and experience over paper qualifications.

Graduates often expect high salaries and managerial positions without having the necessary work experience, leading to frustration and unemployment.

To address the above stated challenges, universities must update their curricula, strengthen partnerships with industries, enhance practical learning opportunities, and improve career counseling.

Additionally, promoting entrepreneurship can help graduates become job creators rather than job seekers.

By implementing these solutions, Kenya can develop a workforce that meets the demands of the modern job market and contributes to national development.