Ajira program hosts business executives to explore job opportunities for Youth

Nairobi, Kenya, Dec 12 – Ajira Digital Program, an initiative of the Government under the Ministry of ICT, Innovations, and Youth Affairs Wednesday hosted a discussion forum with Business Executives in Kenya to assess and explore the synergies and potential collaboration opportunities within the digital market and economy.

The premier forum follows a recent national study on the digital economy which indicated that more than 1.2 million young people are earning their livelihood through digital and digitally-enabled jobs.

Speaking at the forum, Kenya private sector alliance Chief Executive Officer Carole Kariuki in a speech read by the KEPSA’s Deputy CEO-Projects and Foundation, Martha Cheruto, highlighted that the private sector companies have been actively involved in especially in supporting the implementation of youth employment through various programs.

Kariuki added that most employers are currently looking for employees who can work remotely and apply digital skills.

“The shift in the job market, thus, would see increased opportunities for youth including those living with disabilities but only if they were supported. In light of the aforementioned, it is imperative for business executives to engage with the Ajira Digital project to explore potential solutions and prospects for collaboration,” she said.

Ehud Gachugu, Project Director – Ajira Digital Program pointed out that Ajira has connected eCommerce platforms to business owners and increased awareness of various platforms such as SkyGarden, Range, AirDuka among others.

He then advised business leaders to digitize their processes and tap into these digital workers as they look into reducing business costs and solve capacity issues while at the same time focusing on more core functions and increased productivity from their employees.

“Together, we can catalyse and enable the demand side locally, regionally and internationally” he added.

Martin Karuri of Talent Bridge, a talent management and intermediate platform who was also in the panel, called out on organisations to change their culture as well as people changing their mentality to accommodate digital platforms for jobs.

He asked businesses to consider outsourcing especially of non-core organizational services that can possibly be outsourced through digital space.

The forum moves to Homabay and Kisumu on December 14th and 15th respectively