Beyond Jobs – Generation Kenya’s Mission to Sustainable Youth Employment

“Talent is globally distributed, but opportunities are not.”

-Alvin Mukabwa, COO of Generation Kenya

In Kenya, 800,000 to 1 million young people enter the job market annually, yet opportunities remain scarce. Furthermore, as industries evolve, traditional employment declines, making it even harder for youth to secure jobs. Enter Generation Kenya, a non-profit launched in 2015, tackling this crisis by equipping young people, especially those facing the highest systemic barriers, with industry-aligned skills and direct job placements that would otherwise be inaccessible. Their mission creates a win-win situation that bridges the gap between job seekers, unlocking job opportunities, and businesses in need of skilled talent.

Unlocking Potential – Generation Kenya’s Approach to Lasting Impact

Generation Kenya’s model is structured yet adaptable, ensuring its training remains relevant to evolving industry needs. The process begins by identifying key sectors that hold the highest potential for youth employment. By working closely with businesses, Generation Kenya co-creates training programs to match real industry demands. Recruitment efforts focus on young people, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, with the support of county governments and social media outreach. Selected trainees then undergo an intensive four-to-twelve-week boot camp that covers both hard (technical) and soft skills while incorporating peer mentorship. Upon completion, graduates are connected to job opportunities through dedicated business development teams working closely with employers. The support does not end there, as alumni networks and mentorship programs provide continuous guidance, helping graduates navigate career growth and long-term success.

Generation Kenya evaluates the impact they create through more than just breadth or as they describe, the number of youths trained through their boot camps over time. They also focus on depth, which measures how many graduates secure a decent employment within three to six months of completing their training. Corrinne Ngurukie-Yamo, the CEO of Generation Kenya proudly explains that a remarkable eighty-four percent of graduates find dignified work and are earning at least three to four times their previous income within this time.

Finally, Generation Kenya assesses how sustainable these employment opportunities are in the long run – durability. Alumni surveys conducted two to five years after program completion, with the most recent one conducted in May 2024, revealed that seventy-four percent of graduates remain employed, demonstrating the lasting impact of Generation Kenya’s approach.

From Hurdles to Heroes – The Road to Recognition

Despite its success, Generation Kenya faces ongoing challenges in ensuring sustainable employment for youth. As Alvin Mukabwa, COO of Generation Kenya explains, many industries, such as sales, primarily offer commission-based work, which lacks income stability and does not align with their definition of dignified employment. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated job placements, making it even harder to secure sustainable opportunities for youth.

To overcome these barriers, Generation Kenya continuously adapts its approach; refining training programs, enhancing mentorship, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems.

“We will continue aligning with industries changes and supporting youth navigating these changes and challenges to transform them into opportunities,”

Stephen Maina-Kang’ara, a Senior Fundraising and Partnerships Manager, elaborates. Sustainability remains a key priority, but strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE), provide crucial support to scale their impact. The partnership with CFYE empowers Generation Kenya to scale their programs to meet market demand by increasing the number of learners and reducing costs, while also enhancing youth involvement in program design. Winning CFYE’s Youth Business Heroes competition was a chance to increase their visibility and help Generation Kenya expand its reach. As Corrinne notes,

“Despite creating impact for many young people, we were not widely known. Now, Generation Kenya is recognised all around Kenya and people describe the work we do as transformative.”

Transforming Lives, Shaping Futures

Generation Kenya is not only transforming individual lives but also influencing industries and policies. They believe that tackling youth unemployment can drive industrial growth and attract young people to viable career paths. However, economic challenges, such as prohibitive taxation, pose risks to business expansion. To address this, Generation Kenya partners with business associations to advocate for policies that benefit both employers and workers.

For young people striving to secure decent employment, Corrinne, Alvin, and Stephen highlight the importance of a growth mindset.

They stress that beyond formal education, skills training, networking, and mentorship play a critical role in career success. Persistence is essential.

“Do right, think right, be with the right people, and you will get what you want,” Corrinne emphasises.

The Passion Behind the Mission

For the team at Generation Kenya, this is more than a job – it’s a calling. Corrinne’s journey began with research on adolescent girls from low-income backgrounds. Witnessing their struggles and untapped potential convinced her that employment is a powerful catalyst for change.

“I want to celebrate each and every colleague at Generation Kenya, who has put sweat and tears into getting youth where they are today.” – Corrinne

Alvin finds his motivation in fieldwork, where he witnesses the transformation of young people firsthand. In just six weeks, he sees individuals move from hopelessness to confidence. He recalls stories of young mothers who, after completing the program, have been able to afford private schooling for their children – proving that a single opportunity can spark generational change. For Stephen, the impact is deeply personal. Knowing that his work directly influences youth who depend on his efforts to secure a better future keeps him committed.

To the team, Generation Kenya is more than a job. It is a home, a platform that unlocks potential, and a movement that transforms lives. As more young people gain the skills and confidence to step into meaningful careers, the ripple effect continues, shaping a more prosperous future for youth, Kenya, Africa, and beyond.