The State Department of Labour and Skills Development in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has joined hands with the Corporate Career Academy (CCA), the East African Business Council (EABC), and other stakeholders to co-create, convene, and co-host the 2nd Annual East African Employability Summit 2024 (EAES24).
Building on the tremendous milestones achieved during the inaugural summit, EAES23, and the second Uongozi Career Awards, EAES24 is scheduled for October 29-30 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi, under the theme “Building on the Gains: Closing the Youth Employability Skills Gap in the East African Community.”
The overarching objective of the East African Employability Summit 2024 is to reflect on a decade of progress, revamp strategies, and build synergies to address the employment challenges in the region, which are further compounded by the mismatch between skills and jobs.
Dr. Wanjiru Kariuki, Secretary for Skills Development, has been appointed to chair the multi-stakeholder team tasked with delivering this crucial summit. Other government ministries and departments involved in the planning of this landmark event include the State Departments for EAC, Digital Economy, Diaspora Affairs, TVET and Higher Education, Youth, KALRO, and the Public Service, among others.
some of the notable private sector partners supporting the summit include members of the East African Business Council from the eight member states, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, and eMobilis.
“The Ministry of Labour and the government of Kenya find the employability conversation fundamental, especially when demographic evidence highlights the East African region as the youngest on the continent. The summit also aligns with the President’s commitment to creating opportunities both at home and abroad,” remarked Mr. Shadrack Mwadime, Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development.
“The characteristic difficulties that accompany the youth bulge extend beyond Kenya to our neighbours in the EAC. This, coupled with the increasing number of young people acquiring refugee or immigrant statuses in the region, demands urgent solutions. We believe that strengthening skills for employment, navigating labour migration, and enhancing the overall mobility of youth will catalyse regional integration,” added Mr. Philip Pande, Executive Director of CCA.
“At EABC, we are excited to engage our collaborative business community as we deepen the conversation on training within the industry to meet the skills and labour demands in our common market,” said Mr. Moses Kanyesigye, Regional Coordinator for SMEs, Youth & Women at EABC.
“I am delighted to lead this agenda with a team of innovators representing a cross-section of diverse stakeholders, focused on nothing less than training, skilling, and equipping the youth with 21st-century in-demand skills for employment and entrepreneurship. We invite more stakeholders to co-create with us for a lasting impact,” stated Dr. Wanjiru Kariuki, Secretary for Skills Development.
