Kenya

Projects

Building skills for young plumbers and electricians through dual apprenticeship training (PropelA)

The PropelA project seeks to introduce a dual apprenticeship model driven by employers for the construction industry in Kenya and beyond, starting with plumbers and electricians.

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News

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15.07.2024

PropelA Celebrates World Youth Skills Day 2024

PropelA, an employer-led dual apprenticeship program, builds in-demand skills in young people for the construction sector (electrical and plumbing trades). It was featured on CGTN for World Youth Skills Day, which this year highlighted the theme "Youth Skills for Peace and Development." PropelA aligns perfectly with this theme, aiming to equip young people with essential electrical and plumbing skills that lead to decent incomes and jobs, and to establish dual apprenticeships as the preferred training method for companies in Kenya. Through this initiative, we create an environment where young people can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society. Watch this feature to understand how PropelA is making an impact.

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14.06.2024

Private sector vital in training for the construction industry

Countries with successful Dual TVET programs, like Switzerland, involve the private sector in designing and delivering vocational training. Switzerland’s private sector, a key factor in its economic success, plays a significant role in vocational training, producing a well-qualified workforce and maintaining low youth unemployment rates.

My involvement in Swisscontact’s PropelA dual apprenticeship program, launched in Kenya in 2022, has highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering effective TVET programs. The participation of industry, with the National Industrial Training Authority accrediting firms, aligns the curriculum with industry needs, addressing both current and future demands

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20.05.2024

Building a Brighter Future: Inside the HILTI Foundation's Visit to PropelA Dual Apprenticeship Programme

The visit culminated in a dynamic networking event, fostering connections between key stakeholders from Kenya's construction industry, industry association, vocational institution, and government. This gathering served as a powerful testament to PropelA's commitment to a holistic and collaborative approach to transforming the sector.

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Country Director Kenya

Lillian Mwai - Ndegwa

Interventions

Swisscontact works in Kenya to reduce unemployment and improve the livelihoods of refugees, smallholders, MSMEs and the youth. Swisscontact strengthens their prospects of gainful employment by facilitating technical skills training, promoting financial literacy, and offering linkages to formal financial institutions.

For over a decade, Swisscontact has played a role in alleviating poverty through implementing interventions that increase access to financial products and services. Through Inclusive Finance Programmes micro-enterprises, subsistence farmers and low-income households have increased their economic activities.

In the Kakuma Refugee Camp Swisscontact supports refugees and the host community to move from humanitarian support to a lasting development pathway. Activities include income-generating capabilities and employability by facilitating technical skills training in addition to literacy, numeracy, financial and life skills, combining theoretical and hands-on techniques.

Inclusive Finance Programme - 14 Years of Financial Services in East Africa

Although the 2018 IMF Financial Access Survey confirms a positive trend in access to financial products and services in Sub-Saharan Africa, many people are still excluded from the formal financial market system. Sub-Saharan Africa comprises 48 countries and 47% of the people live on less than $ 1.9 a day (World Bank 2018). To a considerable extent...

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Skills for Life - project journey

The Promoting Life Skills and Livelihoods project commonly referred to as Skills for Life (S4L) was designed to strengthen the income-generating capabilities of youth (both refugee and from the host community) in Kakuma by enhancing their technical, financial, life and literacy skills to improve their chances of an enriched livelihood.

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Microleasing

Transforming the lives of entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers through innovative financial solutions.

The Journey of Microleasing in Eastern Africa 2006 – 2017.

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Jobs

Motivated and productive employees with initiative constitute the most important success factor in all areas of our work. We count on individuals who are looking to the future, impact- and team-oriented, and want to work in international development cooperation.

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