Population
National Council for Population Development (NCPD) Director General Dr Mohamed Sheikh has asked youths to embrace the various skill-acquisition programmes offered by the government to minimize the restiveness triggered by unemployment.
Dr Sheikh says that relevant skill acquisition for the youth is a necessary pathway to peace, poverty eradication and the realisation of socio-economic progress.
Sheikh noted that learning a skill to improve oneself is an invaluable asset during these tough and challenging economic times. He has urged the youth to embrace skills acquisition in addition to academic performance in view of the grim reality of unavailability of white-collar jobs in the country.
Sheikh says the youth should not shy away from blue-collar jobs such as carpentry and joinery, refrigeration and air conditioning, welding, masonry, mechanics, scaffolding, electrical and plumbing among other trades in their quest for a decent and better life.
“The increasing youth population should not see these kinds of jobs as a waste of time but embrace it to earn an income from the skills they have learnt,” he said.
Sheikh was speaking in Kwale during the dissemination of Sessional Paper No.1 of 2023 on national population policy for sustainable development where he encouraged counties to promote integration of population issues in development planning.
A section of participants at NCPD dissemination forum on Sessional Paper No.1 of 2023 on national population policy for sustainable development in Kwale County.
Dr Sheikh says the goal of the NCPD sessional paper No.1 of 2023 on national population policy for sustainable development is to attain high quality of life for all Kenyans and contribute to the realisation of national aspirations. He says Vision 2030, the national development agenda, recognises the importance of integrating population dynamics in development planning for socio-economic development and wellbeing of the people.
The sessional paper seeks to promote integrated approaches to address population, environment and disaster challenges to achieve sustainable development, enhance availability, accessibility and utilisation of reliable and timely population data by use of technology and innovation and increasing citizen engagement.
The NCPD DG stressed the need for youths to embrace vocational training and acquire skills to be independent and urged them to embrace blue-collar jobs as a sustainable alternative to the elusive white-collar jobs. Dr. Sheikh noted that the government has set up Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres across the country to pull millions mostly youths out of poverty.
“Seventy-five percent of our population is below 35 years of age hence investing in their potential with marketable skills is critical,” said Sheikh adding that TVETs are the most practical avenue for youth to acquire work skills. He says the youth bulge will continue for the unforeseeable future presenting great economic and social opportunities for the country but also enormous challenges necessitating a rethink in youth employment initiatives.
Sheikh says investing in training on workforce will not only assist the country in developing talent to meet local needs but developing labour requirements to be used across the world. He says the importance of TVETs in skill acquisition among the youth for socio-economic and technological development cannot be overemphasised.
A section of participants at NCPD dissemination forum on Sessional Paper No.1 of 2023 on national population policy for sustainable development in Kwale County.
Sheikh blamed the recent countrywide youth unrest under the banner of Gen Z on a disengaged, disenfranchised and frustrated set of young people. “These are frustrated youth and they are not happy at how they are locked out of economic and life opportunities,” he said and called on all stakeholders to join forces in empowering young people to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Msambweni Deputy County Commissioner Josphat Mutisyo says the government is committed to empowering young people, promoting gender inclusivity, and fostering a supportive environment for all. Mutisyo says the government would continue to initiate and implement youth employment programmes and activities that would take the youth off the streets and make them valuable to the society.
He encouraged young people to leverage technology alongside vocational skills to engender national development and unlock a world of opportunities. The DCC says high levels of youth unemployment creates economic strain as a large segment of the population remains dependent on social welfare thus increasing the burden on the government.
He also urged the youths to make good use of the skills acquired at TVETs during the training in order to positively impact other unemployed youths in their locality.