As recruitment for Kenyans seeking Qatar jobs continues, many young people are highlighting the strict requirements needed to qualify. However, experts suggest that a significant factor is the lack of essential skills among graduates that would enable them to work abroad.
During last week’s Africa Employability Summit (AES), academia and industry leaders pointed out that many graduates lack skills such as communication, problem-solving, design thinking, and, crucially, practical abilities. According to the World Bank, the unemployment rate remains at 5.7 percent, with young people accounting for 67 percent of that statistic. Prof. Ntonja Patrick, Dean of Students at Pioneer University, emphasized the value of overseas jobs, noting that a substantial portion of the global workforce will come from Africa in the coming years.
“In the next four to five years, 40 percent of the world’s working population will come from Africa. If we don’t prepare for those jobs available [outside Kenya], then we will further burden our economy which is not able to absorb our graduates,” Prof. Ntonja stated.
Dr. Julian Rowa, Chief Executive Officer of Shajuls Consulting Limited, highlighted changes in the job market, urging educational institutions to shift away from emphasizing certificates and instead prioritize practical skills that align with employer needs.
“Education in our country stresses on certification, not application, yet we are living in a world that stresses on application. Nobody is interested in your certificates. When you say you can do this, it’s not enough to put it on paper; you have to demonstrate,” Dr. Rowa said.
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While many graduates are eager to find employment abroad, Dr. Rowa cautioned that they must develop emotional and cultural intelligence, as they will be working in environments with diverse cultures and lifestyles. He advised job seekers aiming to work abroad to familiarize themselves with the cultural norms of their intended destination.
“Job seekers must have critical thinking, cognitive skills, and good cultural intelligence. Cultural intelligence is what you need for you to navigate the world of work,” he added, stressing that institutions of higher learning should reassess their role in enhancing employability and update outdated courses to align with labor market demands.
Winnie Rachael, Country Manager of UNICAF, pointed out the rise of remote work and gig economies. She emphasized that educational institutions should prepare graduates for online job markets by equipping them with the skills required for online job applications and interviews.
“Many companies are hiring online through exams that are done online, but institutions are not training learners to handle online interviews. That is why there is a big disconnect between education and the job market,” Rachael said.
