Kenya pushes green skills to tackle youth unemployment
The call was made at the GreenWorks 4 Africa: Africa Green Skills and Jobs Summit in Nairobi, where participants said investment in green industries could have limited economic impact if training programmes do not match the skills employers need.
NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya is urging better collaboration between government, businesses, and training institutions to turn the growing need for green skills into actual job opportunities and new enterprises. This call came at the GreenWorks 4 Africa: Africa Green Skills and Jobs Summit held in Nairobi, where attendees emphasized that green industry investments could struggle to create significant economic impact if training programs don't align with the skills employers seek.
The summit zeroed in on apprenticeships, dual training, and recognizing prior learning as methods to bridge the gap between formal education and the practical skills demanded in the green economy. Festus Ng’eno, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, stressed the necessity of practical methods to transform the green transition into economic opportunities.
"Investing in green energy is investing in national development," Ng’eno stated, adding that green energy and associated industries should be woven into Kenya’s broader development strategies rather than being viewed solely as environmental endeavors.
Attendees also flagged the difficulty in keeping training programs current as new positions arise in renewable energy, sustainable manufacturing, and climate-smart agriculture. Jacob’s Ladder Africa co-founder and CEO Sellah Bogonko stressed the need for stronger coordination among those involved in developing green skills: "We must connect the dots to ensure we’re moving in the same direction, in a coordinated manner, with the same effort."
The summit advocated for increased employer involvement in crafting training curricula, more apprenticeship opportunities, and the acknowledgment of skills acquired outside traditional education settings. Participants also endorsed locally-driven solutions, advocating for communities, businesses, and experts to play a larger role in crafting green economic prospects.
These discussions occur as African nations strive to generate employment for a burgeoning youth population while addressing climate change and the transition toward cleaner production methods.
In response, participants agreed to broaden the Alliance for Greening Skills and Opportunities Africa, uniting governments, employers, investors, universities, and training institutions. The emphasis is shifting from creating green jobs to ensuring young people possess the necessary skills, training, and connections to employers to secure these opportunities.
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