Government Urges Youth to Prioritise Skills Over Academic Papers at KICC Summit

By Our Reporter  Violet Kerubo

The government has challenged Kenyan youth to focus on acquiring practical skills alongside academic qualifications, saying the country’s future workforce must be equipped to meet the changing demands of the labour market.

The call was made during the launch of the 4th Edition of Skill Up for Africa at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime said the initiative is designed to prepare young people for employment through practical training and innovation.

The event, themed “Future Skills, Innovation and Opportunity for Kenya’s Youth,” was organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in partnership with the Ministry of Education and other development partners.

Mwadime said Kenya remains among Africa’s leading countries in skilled labour but warned that graduates must possess hands-on competencies to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic job market.

He announced that the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) has introduced an attachment placement system through the eCitizen platform, allowing university and TVET students to apply for industrial attachments electronically instead of searching for opportunities on their own.

The PS said the digital platform is expected to ease access to workplace training while strengthening the link between learning institutions and industry.

He challenged universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to ensure graduates leave school with practical skills rather than relying solely on classroom knowledge.

“Students should not report to workplaces only to begin learning from scratch. Institutions must equip them with the practical competencies employers require,” he said.

Speakers at the forum encouraged young people to pursue additional short professional and technical courses to complement their academic qualifications, noting that employers increasingly prefer workers with multiple skills.

They urged youth to embrace lifelong learning, remain adaptable to technological changes and continuously upgrade their skills instead of depending entirely on academic certificates.

The event also recognised organisations that have supported youth skills development through internship and industrial attachment programmes. Among those honoured were the National Cereals and Produce Board, Kenya Ports Authority, Tata Africa, Integral Media, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, Kenya Forest Service, Bata Shoe Kenya, Kenyatta National Hospital and Angaza Institute.

The organisers said the Skill Up for Africa programme seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by promoting industry-driven training that prepares Kenyan youth for opportunities in both local and international labour markets.