Wananchi Opinion: Many young people are now unable to exist on their own

The challenges faced by young graduates in Kenya in their quest for employment are multifaceted and deeply rooted in various structural and societal aspects.

Despite investing years of hard work, dedication, and financial resources into their education, many youthful graduates find themselves in a frustrating predicament, struggling to land a job that aligns with their qualifications and aspirations.

One of the significant contributing factors to this challenge is the disparity between academic qualifications and industry demands.

The rapid evolution of technology and industry advancements has led to a mismatch between what is taught in academic institutions and the skills required by employers.

Graduates often find themselves lacking the practical skills and experiences demanded by the job market, making it difficult to secure a position that matches their qualifications.

Moreover, the high rate of unemployment and underemployment exacerbates the situation. With a burgeoning youth population and a limited number of available job opportunities, the competition is fierce.

Employers can afford to be selective, often favouring candidates with prior work experience, leaving recent graduates in a perpetual cycle of catch-22 - unable to gain experience without a job and unable to secure a job without experience.

Another critical aspect is the challenge of networking and effective job search strategies. Graduates often underestimate the power of networking, and inadequate knowledge of job market dynamics further hampers their efforts.

The lack of proper guidance and mentorship also plays a pivotal role in the employment struggle, as many graduates navigate this intricate process without adequate support and insights.

Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles and nepotism within the hiring process cannot be ignored. Often, securing a job is influenced by personal connections or affiliations rather than pure merit and qualifications. This leaves many deserving graduates feeling disillusioned and disheartened, questioning the fairness of the recruitment system.

Kenya’s deteriorating economy has contributed to the worsening of the situation as fewer jobs are available throughout the country. Economic activity has a significant impact on unemployment. More individuals are required to produce more goods and services during periods of strong economic activity. However, as is the case in Kenya currently, job cuts occur when the economy is weak, which contributes to the increase in unemployment

People’s reliance on agriculture as a source of work has become more difficult as a result of climate change.

The relationship between the natural world and the workplace is quite close, according to the International Labour Organization. There is a serious threat to employment in Kenya from climate change.

Industries that strongly rely on natural resources, such as agriculture and fisheries, suffer decreased productivity and income loss when extreme weather events grow more common and unpredictable. Rural towns experience job losses as a result of farming activity disruptions brought on by droughts, floods, and altered rainfall patterns.

Additionally, climate-related issues have an impact on industry and tourism, which affects job possibilities in these areas. The ensuing unemployment exacerbates economic instability and poverty.

To protect livelihoods and advance long-term job opportunities in Kenya, combating climate change through sustainable policies and adaption measures is essential.

Moreover, Kenya’s population is growing, and as a result, thousands of young people graduate each year, increasing the demand for jobs. Because of the excessive population, there are fewer jobs available for everyone.

The increase in unemployment in Kenya is largely a result of population growth. The labour market is under a lot of strain due to the rapid population expansion and the lack of available jobs.

This condition has an especially negative impact on the formal sector, which increases underemployment and informal employment. Additionally, it might be difficult for young people, who make up a sizeable section of the population, to find adequate employment.

Focused efforts on economic growth, skill development, and the creation of long-term work prospects are necessary to address this issue in order to accommodate the expanding population.

Young people who want to create their own jobs by starting businesses often struggle to find access to affordable loans, or loans in general. This is partially due to a lack of collateral.

High interest rates also make it difficult for young people to repay their loans on time. The World Bank notes that less than one percent of loan portfolios of loan providers are directed at those under the age of 30.

Last but not least, Poor Standard of Education is to blame. Kenya’s educational system has come under fire for its role in the country’s high youth unemployment rate.

According to reports, the system gives students and young people the skills necessary to become job seekers once they finish their education rather than training them to create jobs.

As a result, young people are now unable to exist on their own. The formal education placed a strong emphasis on white-collar jobs, leading young people to assume that finding a great career opportunity is the superior option.

In order to find a solution to the youth unemployment in Kenya, Government, business, educational institutions, and civil society must work together to address these complex causes of unemployment.

Adopting comprehensive approaches that advance inclusive economic growth, enhance the educational system, and place a high priority on the establishment of decent employment prospects are necessary for policymakers.

Additionally, programmes that promote entrepreneurship and aid small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) can significantly contribute to the creation of job possibilities. To foster the development of SMEs and increase job creation, access to finance, business mentoring, and supportive regulatory environments are crucial.

The private sector, government and education systems need to start collaborating to determine what knowledge and skills young people should be taught in order to find rewarding work. Considering businesses are suffering from the skills mismatch, too, they need to take a more active role in promoting appropriate education and skill-building for young people from an early age.

Education and training programmes that target to address the skills gap from employability skills to job hunting and interviewing to entrepreneurship to vocational education (including opportunities in the green economy) should be promoted. Ideally, in the future, these kinds of education need to be embedded into national curricula, tackling the skills gap.

Mr. Abol Kings is a former banker, career coach and a teacher in Kenya.