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Kenya’s M-Pesa Foundation and the University of Embu have unveiled a sweeping Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarship program. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, aims to benefit 1,300 young Kenyans from 47 counties, offering a lifeline to those seeking practical skills in a competitive job market.

The comprehensive scholarships will cover all program fees and provide a monthly stipend for living expenses, a crucial support system for many underprivileged students. The program’s curriculum is diverse, ranging from cosmetology and culinary arts to more technical fields such as electrical installation and advanced welding.

Nicholas Kamunyu, a trustee of the Safaricom Foundation, emphasized the program’s potential impact. “We are pleased to partner with the University of Embu to launch this TVET Scholarship Programme in recognition that we need to provide access to education and comprehensive training that will empower our youth to access opportunities for economic empowerment,”  Kamunyu said at the launch event.

The program’s first phase will focus on 10 counties, including urban centers like Nairobi and more remote areas such as Turkana, reflecting an effort to spread opportunities across Kenya’s varied demographic landscape. Eligibility is open to youth aged 15 to 30, with applications available online on the university website and at Safaricom shops in the target counties until October 7, 2024.

In the first phase, the program will recruit an initial 400 youth targeting 10 counties including Embu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Nairobi, Murang’a, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Homa Bay, Nyamira, and Turkana.

Professor David Mugendi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Embu, highlighted the practical nature of the training. “The scholarships we are launching today will provide access to a diverse range of programs which have been carefully selected to align with current market demands. Many of these skills are what we often associate with blue-collar jobs but let us not underestimate their value. These are the foundational skills that drive industries, boost productivity, and create pathways to meaningful employment.”

The initiative goes beyond scholarships. M-Pesa Foundation also announced plans to establish a TVET Centre of Excellence at the University of Embu, including facilities for phone and computer repairs, and an innovative Black Soldier Fly farming project.

The program represents a significant investment in Kenya’s youth at a time when the country, like many in Africa, grapples with high youth unemployment rates. By focusing on practical, market-aligned skills, the initiative hopes to bridge the gap between education and employability, potentially serving as a model for similar programs across the continent.

As Kenya continues to position itself as a technology and innovation hub in East Africa, initiatives like this could play a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are more widely distributed among its young population.