On 25^th and 27^th of September, KEPSA through the Digital Skills and Employment Advancement Program (DSEAP) was honored to participate in the Daystar University Annual Career Fair, an event that attracted and brought together over 200 students, lecturers and Industry partners . The fair offered a platform for KEPSA as a stakeholder in the Private Sector to share insights, expertise, and guidance to the young people, particularly from its Youth and Jobs department, with a focus on equipping attendees with the skills and knowledge necessary for the evolving job market.

Using various Strategies including a dedicated youth and  Jobs Division, the KEPSA youth and Jobs division implements an Innovative program called The Kenya Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (K-YEEAP). K-YEEAP aims to address youth unemployment and creating a more sustainable business environment in Kenya by supporting small enterprises through financing, coaching, and mentorship. Focused on targets 1 million jobs for young people, 200,000 enterprises, and 10,000 start-ups by 2027.

The Digital Skills and Employment Advancement Program (DSEAP), a strategic partnership between KEPSA and Microsoft, is designed to empower Kenyan youth by equipping them with essential digital skills that align with the demands of the modern job market. The program focuses on upskilling and reskilling individuals, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced digital tools to foster innovation and enhance employability. By addressing the skills gap, DSEAP prepares the workforce and the general population for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring that businesses and individuals remain competitive in the evolving digital economy. The program also enhances productivity and drives innovation by introducing businesses to AI applications, enabling them to increase efficiency and position themselves as industry leaders.

Some of the notable stakeholders present during the career fair included; The ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Daystar University Students, Alumni and Faculty, Industry stakeholders such as the Institute of Institute of Human Resource Management, the National Industrial Training Authority, Brighter Monday, The Corporate Career Academy, among others.

Representing KEPSA during the fair was Brian Lang’at, M&E and Impact Manager under the Kenya Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program- KEPSA, delivered a powerful keynote address to both online and in-person attendees, shedding light on the current job landscape in Kenya and beyond. Also present during the event was John Nderitu, project assistant at KEPSA who led the panel of discussions, facilitating deep engagement on the challenges and opportunities in the global and Kenyan labor markets.

While delivering her Key note address during the fair Dr Wanjiru Kariuki, Secretary for Skills Development at the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, highlighted that through the years skills have been developed without adequate consultation with industry, leading to a significant skills mismatch. This mismatch has been a contributing factor to the high levels of youth unemployment in the country. Currently, the statistics on youth employment were concerning with the rates of youth aged between 20-24 who have given up on looking for work stands at 30.4%, and for the age between 25-29 have the rate of 15.9, followed closely by those aged between 30-34 at 12.1%.

“In response to this, the government has developed the National Skills Development Policy, which was approved in 2023. This policy specifically addresses the skills mismatch by identifying the necessary policy actions to ensure sustainable socio-economic growth. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a skilled workforce that is employable, productive, enterprising, innovative, adaptable, and competitive. Youth who do not pursue tertiary education also face higher unemployment rates. It is crucial that we encourage a smooth transition from basic education to university, as having skills significantly increases employability. However, universities must also improve their alignment with labor market needs to ensure that their graduates are highly employable” said Dr. Wanjiru.

During this affair KEPSA had the opportunity to emphasize the importance of upskilling, multiskilling and reskilling for the workforce, particularly in emerging digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). The team additionally highlighted that today’s rapidly transforming job market, staying relevant and competitive on a global scale necessitates embracing such innovations. KEPSA's presentation underscored the necessity for young professionals and students particularly to adopt a mindset of continuous learning, particularly in AI and other transformative digital trends.

The interactive nature of the event allowed students and lecturers to participate in discussions about Kenya's economic landscape, the future of jobs, and the importance of adaptability in an era marked by rapid technological advancements. KEPSA's contributions helped drive home the message that integrating AI and digital skills is crucial for productivity and maintaining a competitive edge in the global economy.

To date, DSEAP has made remarkable progress, having skilled over 20,000 young people with in demand digital skills including Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. Currently, the program falls under the broader AI National Skills initiative which has a goal of Skilling and raising awareness to over 1 Million users including Organisations and the General workforce, boosting employability across Kenya. Through these efforts, KEPSA and Microsoft are working to ensure that the Kenyan workforce remains competitive and well-prepared for the future, contributing to both economic growth and sustainable development.

KEPSA’s participation at the Daystar University Career Fair was a remarkable opportunity to engage with the next generation of the workforce. By addressing both immediate job market realities and long-term global trends, KEPSA reinforced its commitment to fostering a well-prepared, digitally competent workforce.

To start your skills and career advancement journey through DSEAP and get a free certificate in partnership with KEPSA and Microsoft, please register through the link provided: https://kepsa-dseap.azurefd.net/