KENYA'S FIRST NATIONAL GREEN JOBS WORKSHOP SPARKS YOUTH EMPLOYMENT HOPE.

BY NJOKI KARANJA 

In a landmark event, Kenya hosted its inaugural National Green Jobs & Skills Workshop, signaling a new era of youth-focused economic opportunities in the Green Economy. The workshop, held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC), brought together key stakeholders to strategize on job creation and environmental sustainability.

Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary, Shadrack Mwadime giving his remarks during the workshop. 

Empowering Youth in the Green Economy:
Jacob’s Ladder Africa, in collaboration with the Green Jobs for Youth Pact, ILO, UNEP, UNICEF, and the Government of Kenya, orchestrated the gathering of over 1000 participants, including youth, government officials, academia, and private sector representatives. The focus was on developing a legislative framework to foster green job creation and advance environmental sustainability.



Addressing Youth Unemployment:
With 75% of Kenya's population comprising youth, combating unemployment has become a critical national priority. The workshop aimed to aggregate existing initiatives and create synergies among stakeholders to tackle the pressing issue of youth unemployment, especially in the context of climate change and the green economy.


Key Stakeholder Insights:
- Sellah Bogonko, CEO of Jacob’s Ladder Africa, highlighted the urgency of implementing a coordinated mechanism to address youth unemployment and facilitate green job creation.
- Eng. Festus Ng’eno, representing the State Department for Environment, stressed the importance of equipping youth with skills for a green economy.
- Hon. Shadrack Mwadime, Principal Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, emphasized the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to bridge the gap between skills supply and demand in the green economy.
- Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary for Higher Education, highlighted the need to align education curricula with the demands of a low-carbon development pathway.



UNEP's Support and Call to Action:
UNEP's GO4SDGs initiative is actively supporting Kenya in addressing youth unemployment and promoting green job opportunities. Dr. Rose Mwebaza, UNEP Africa Regional Office Director, emphasized Africa's potential for green job creation and called for accelerated efforts in this direction.



Practical Initiatives:
As part of the workshop's practical outcomes, Jacob’s Ladder Africa announced a call for Kenyan youth to supply eco-friendly products for future events, showcasing tangible steps towards green job creation.



In Conclusion ,the National Green Jobs & Skills Workshop marks a significant stride in Kenya's journey towards a sustainable and youth-driven economy. With collaborative efforts and strategic planning, the nation is poised to unlock new opportunities while addressing pressing environmental challenges.

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