The future of Africa lies in its youth. Recognizing this immense potential, the Mastercard Foundation has launched the ambitious Young Africa Works (YAW) programme, a transformative initiative with a clear mission: to empower 10 million young Africans with dignified and meaningful employment opportunities by the year 2030.
As part of The African Talent Company, we at BrighterMonday Kenya are proud to be a key implementing partner in this vital program, aligning ourselves with the Foundation’s overarching vision of advancing education and fostering financial inclusion across the continent. For young Kenyans aged 18-35, this programme represents a significant step towards unlocking their potential and securing a brighter future.
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What is the Value Proposition of the Young Africa Works Programme?
The Young Africa Works programme is specifically designed to address the challenges faced by young people as they navigate the transition from education to employment or entrepreneurship. We understand that this journey can be fraught with barriers including limited work and technical experience and access to employment opportunities, and YAW is strategically crafted to dismantle these obstacles. The programme focuses on two key segments:
- Undergraduates: Students in the final stages of their university or tertiary education, poised to enter the job market.
- Graduates: Individuals who have completed their formal education and are actively seeking employment or exploring entrepreneurial ventures.
Our core objective is to equip these young individuals with the skills needed to access employment and business opportunities, ultimately transforming their lives and enhancing their capabilities. Through the YAW programme, we are committed to delivering value in the following ways:
- Removing Key Barriers: Identifying and addressing the obstacles that prevent young people from accessing meaningful work. In this case, by expanding youth skills through free digital-based learning solutions
- Leveraging Existing Opportunities: Capitalizing on available resources and market demands to create pathways to employment. After training, learners begin their assisted job search on the BrighterMonday Kenya platform via a free CV rewriting service, job alerts, and numerous career fairs and employer events.
- Leveraging Existing Opportunities: Capitalizing on available resources and market demands to create pathways to employment. After training, learners begin their assisted job search on the BrighterMonday Kenya platform via a free CV rewriting service, job alerts, and numerous career fairs and employer events.
- Promoting Digital Engagement: Recognizing the importance of technology in today’s world and fostering digital literacy and access to employment.
- Enhancing Program Effectiveness: Utilizing research and data to continuously improve the programme’s reach and impact
How Does the Young Africa Works Programme Work in Kenya?
Building on the remarkable success of the Young Africa Works programme in Nigeria, The African Talent Company and the Mastercard Foundation are bringing this impactful initiative to East Africa, focusing initially on Kenya and Uganda, through our subsidiary companies BrighterMonday Kenya and BrighterMonday Uganda. Our proven partnership in Nigeria has already trained an impressive 2.4 million individuals, with 1.75 million being women, equipping them with the critical skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. Furthermore, we have successfully placed 312,000 women in dignified employment over the past five years, demonstrating the transformative power of this collaboration.
With the same dedication and drive, BrighterMonday Kenya is committed to empowering 310,000 young people in Kenya over the next 18 months, with 70% being women. We will achieve this through a multi-faceted approach, leveraging our expertise in digital-based learning solutions via popular channels like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Telegram, alongside impactful in-person training sessions across both countries. Our ambition extends beyond training; we aim to secure job placement for 107,000 young people in dignified and fulfilling work opportunities, encompassing both traditional and non-traditional employment as well as supporting entrepreneurial ventures.
To ensure the programme effectively reaches and supports diverse groups, we have identified four key jobseeker personas in East Africa:
- Urban Jobseekers: Tech-savvy individuals in cities seeking multiple income streams and utilizing online job platforms.
- Semi-Rural/Rural Jobseekers: Young people with limited internet access, who prefer flexible work and rely on traditional job search methods.
- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Digitally literate individuals who often pursue entrepreneurship.
- Refugees: Young, often displaced individuals with lower digital literacy, seeking guidance from NGOs and religious groups.
The Young Africa Works programme in East Africa is designed to deliver significant outcomes, including:
- Increased Employability and Workforce Readiness: Equipping young people with the technical and soft skills demanded by the market.
- Job Placement and Economic Participation: Facilitating the transition into meaningful employment and contributing to economic growth.
- Inclusivity and Diversity in the Workforce: Ensuring opportunities are accessible to all young people, including marginalized groups.
- Entrepreneurial Growth and Innovation: Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and supporting the development of new businesses.
- Policy Influence and Systemic Change: Contributing to long-term improvements in the employment landscape for young people.
Looking Ahead: Young Africa Works (YAW) Phase 2
The Young Africa Works programme, with its expansion into East Africa and the continued growth in Nigeria, represents a powerful commitment to the potential of young Africans. At BrighterMonday Kenya, we are excited to be at the forefront of this transformative journey, working hand-in-hand with the Mastercard Foundation to create a future where every young person has the opportunity for dignified and fulfilling employment and livelihoods. Stay connected to BrighterMonday Kenya on our social platforms and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on how you can be a part of this impactful initiative!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
– Young people aged 18-35 residing in Kenya and Uganda. Young women are highly encouraged to participate.
– Individuals who are either in the final stages of their university or tertiary education or are graduates actively seeking employment or entrepreneurial opportunities.
– The programme will offer industry-relevant digital and in-person-based training and certifications to enhance employability and career readiness.
– Jobseeker-specific courses include Soft Skills for Career Success, The Confident Job Seeker, Digital Skills: Become a Successful Global Gig Worker, and the First 90 Days in the Office.
– Entrepreneurship-specific courses include Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses, Financial Literacy, Customer Service Excellence, Social Media Marketing, Start Your Business, Manage Your Business Money, Grow Your Business, Secure Your Business, and Digital Skills for a Brighter Future.
– We will actively work to connect participants with available job opportunities in various sectors and provide support in the job application and interview process.
– Specifically, after the training, learners will begin your assisted job search on our platform via a free CV rewriting service, job alerts and numerous career fairs and employer events.
Yes, the programme will also support young people interested in starting their own businesses through training, mentorship, and linkages to partners that provide access to resources for startups and existing businesses.
– Register for the weekly Zoom training sessions in Kenya via this link and participate.
– You can also access our digital learning platform via this link.
– Stay tuned for further announcements on programme activities and in-person training sessions in Kenya and Uganda and participate. We will be sharing more information through our website and other channels.
We call upon the youth in Kenya to #TakeControl of their future today by signing up for the digital training courses via this link and begin an exciting journey into your career.
Author: Katherine Karambu
We call upon the youth in Kenya to #TakeControl of their future today by signing up for the digital training courses via this link and begin an exciting journey into your career.
Author: Katherine Karambu
