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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

Job Opportunities through Vocational Training 

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.

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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

PropelA: Vocational Training for a Skilled Workforce in Kenya

According to projections, about one million young people flood the Kenyan labor market every year. However, most of them have hardly any chance of finding a job, as the current vocational training is largely disconnected from the needs of the private sector. That is why the Hilti Foundation, together with Swisscontact and Kenyan experts, has launched the dual vocational training initiative Propel A, which offers the younger generation excellent, dual education that meets the market's needs.

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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

Finding Economic Independence

Economic Empowerment is about enabling people in need to become economically independent so they can lead self-determined lives. Despite economic growth in Eastern Africa, poverty rates remain very high, with rural populations and the younger generation in major cities particularly affected. Our work in this focus area is based on two initiatives: enterprise development and vocational training.

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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

Project Announcement: Launching Dual Vocational Education PropelA in Kenya

After one year of intense preparations, the Hilti Foundation proudly announces its latest initiative in East Africa: For the first time, 120 young people will spend the next two years as an employed apprentice of one of 24 renown Kenyan companies and student of a specialized school, to be educated as a certified plumber or electrician. This dual training model is based on more than 100 years of experience in Switzerland and Central Europe.

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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

Agnes’ Story of Financial Independence

Imagine, you are a smart girl with big dreams, but you have to leave school because your family can’t afford to pay tuition. Isn’t that unfair? While talents are equally well distributed all over the world, not everyone gets the opportunity to develop and use them. Agnes Wairimu Kagiri is 34 years old, married, and a mother of three who had to re-define herself and her future several times to live an independent and self-determined life.

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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

Project Announcement: Launching “Enterprise Scale-Up” in Rural East Africa

Based on the Basic Entrepreneur Training (BET) program’s success, the Hilti Foundation has decided to launch “Enterprise Scale Up”, a project focusing on those microentrepreneurs who have already gone through the base program with ambitions to invest and profitably grow their enterprises. Until 2027, the project will reach 20,000 farmers, helping them to improve their livelihoods and to contribute to local rural economy and social development through scaling up their farming-based enterprises in Kenya and Tanzania.

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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

Podcast #6 - Economic Empowerment

Listen in this episode of In this Case to Werner Wallner (Hilti Foundation), Walter Irungi (small business owner), Dorothea Arndt (Hand in Hand International) and Jane Sabuni (Hand in Hand Eastern Africa) talking about how they partner to reach that goal: Helping people to develop skills, find sustainable jobs, start businesses and achieve a decent income, so they can afford a better living standard.

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Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann Economic Empowerment Fritz Hanselmann

Escaping Extreme Poverty - Kenya 2021

Since 2018 the Basic Entrepreneur Training, a powerful educational program, has proven to be a successful way to fight extreme poverty in rural East Africa. Facilitated by the Hilti Foundation and led by the NGO Hand in Hand International, the program’s goal is to teach members of self-help groups how to start a micro-business and generate sustainable income.

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