Nursing students obtain apprenticeships under the terms of a youth employment agreement

In a significant move to address youth unemployment and skills gaps, the Kenyan government has partnered with Germany to create new opportunities for Kenyan learners. This partnership, signed in 2024, is known as the Kenya-Germany labor migration pact, and it has already proven to be a game-changer for many young Kenyans.

One institution that has benefited from this partnership is Mount Kenya University (MKU). Joachim Stamp, Germany's Special Federal Commissioner for Migration Agreements, has highlighted the initiative's success, stating that the number of young people working or studying in Germany has increased as a result.

The German Career Fair in Nairobi brought together Kenyan and German officials to emphasize the pact's significance. Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, the MKU Vice Chancellor, expressed gratitude for the university's selection in the partnership. He noted that the recognition reflects MKU's commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people while strengthening bilateral ties between Kenya and Germany.

The program offers nursing students global exposure, advanced training, and an opportunity to contribute to both local and international healthcare systems. Lewis Kamanga, a nursing student, expressed optimism about gaining skills to solve local and global challenges through the program. Since the launch of the program, 55 MKU students have successfully secured placements in German institutions.

Rose Wahuthi, a Kenyan official, highlighted how the program offers hope in Kenya's tough job market. She emphasized that the program is seen as a way to help address joblessness in Kenya, fitting into Kenya's long-term goals of creating jobs, boosting remittances, and promoting knowledge.

The program allows students to look forward to learning and gaining more experience in Germany, which they will deploy back to help their country. German institutions collaborating with MKU and AG Career Hub for training and placement of Kenyan nursing graduates include German hospitals, healthcare training centers, and governmental agencies involved in healthcare and international cooperation.

As of next month, 29 more nursing students from Mount Kenya University will be traveling to Germany. The initiative is mutually beneficial, with the number of young people working or studying in Germany increasing, and it offers a beacon of hope for many young Kenyans seeking opportunities to better their lives and contribute to their country's development.

Currently, youth unemployment in Kenya stands at over 13 percent, and more than 1.2 million young people join the Kenyan labor market each year, but only a small proportion secure formal jobs. The Kenya-Germany labor migration pact aims to change this narrative, providing Kenyan youth with the skills and opportunities they need to secure dignified employment both at home and abroad.

Nursing students obtain apprenticeships under the terms of a youth employment agreement