The government has asked beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement to revise their selected skills under the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) component, signalling a key transition in the rollout of the youth empowerment programme.
In a notice issued on Thursday, April 30, beneficiaries were directed to update their skill choices through the USSD code *254#, with further instructions set to be communicated via SMS.
The directive comes as the programme moves closer to the placement phase, where participants are matched with real work opportunities across different sectors.
The OJE component is a core pillar of the NYOTA programme, designed to equip young people with practical skills through apprenticeship-style training. Participants are attached to workplaces and master craftsmen for hands-on experience lasting about five to six months.
During this period, beneficiaries also receive a monthly stipend of KSh 6,000 to support their upkeep, while the government covers training and certification costs.
The call to revise skills is understood to be part of efforts to align beneficiaries with available opportunities and market demand. During earlier induction and training stages, participants are guided to identify suitable trades based on their interests, aptitude, and industry needs before final placement.
The NYOTA programme targets unemployed youth aged between 18 and 29 years, with the upper limit extended to 35 for persons with disabilities. It focuses on equipping them with skills in sectors such as digital, creative, green, and technical industries.
Beyond training, the initiative also includes certification through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and aims to transition beneficiaries into employment or self-employment upon completion.
Overall, the programme is expected to support over 800,000 young people nationwide through skills development, entrepreneurship funding, and job placement opportunities.
The latest update is likely to affect thousands of beneficiaries currently in the pipeline, with officials urging participants to comply promptly to avoid missing out on placement opportunities.
