Job Opportunities through Vocational Training
Every year, about a million young people flood the Kenyan labor market. Most of them have little chance of finding a job because they lack the financial means to attend college or university, and the Kenyan vocational training system is largely disconnected from the requirements of the private sector.
Inspired by the Swiss vocational training system and developed for the market needs in Kenya, the Hilti Foundation, together with Swisscontact and local Kenyan experts, launched PropelA, a dual education system for the electrical and plumbing trades. Focusing on underprivileged young adults and driven by more than 40 local leading firms, we provide theoretical and practical education for the skills required in the industry to create clear career opportunities that provide a decent income and improve lives.
With PropelA, we intend to build a lighthouse project that can be replicated in other construction trades and, over time, in other professions as well. We have a real chance to completely transform the education system; we want to revolutionize it.
“The dual system of vocational education only works if the private sector is committed to training young people. We are proud that we have been able to convince leading companies and the government to invest in this model. In doing so, we are creating real opportunities for young people.”
Werner Wallner, CEO of the Hilti Foundation
PropelA has been successfully implemented with strong commitment from both the government and the private sector. 40 leading Kenyan plumbing and electrical companies have agreed to employ a first cohort of 250 trainees, who will graduate with a national diploma after two years of training. By 2025, there will be 1,000 apprentices and 70 companies actively involved, aiming to transform the education system for construction-related jobs in Kenya.
Economic Empowerment
Economic Empowerment is about providing people with the opportunity to earn their living. Training programs teach the skills they need to improve their economic prospects and sustain their livelihoods. Focusing on both the rural population and the younger generation in the cities of East African countries, we enable people to escape poverty and become part of an emerging middle class. Our commitment is divided into two initiatives:
Enterprise development: together with our partners, we establish professional training and coaching models to transform microenterprises into professional businesses. Through this initiative, we are also committed to creating a favorable business environment in the target regions.
Vocational training: This initiative aims to change training patterns for occupations in the construction sector by establishing public-private partnerships between local companies, relevant business associations, training institutions and the government.