Thousands of young people who recently completed training under the government’s NYOTA programme have been asked to update their skill choices.
In a public notice released on Thursday, April 30, the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project said the directive targets beneficiaries of the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) programme in 13 counties.
The notice specifically applies to participants in Lot 1 and Lot 2 who had already gone through Socio-Emotional Skills Development (SESD) training. They have now been given a fresh chance to review and change the skills they had initially selected.
“Lot 1 and Lot 2 beneficiaries who have undertaken SESD training, here is your opportunity to revise your skill selection,” the notice read.
The following are the counties affected: Nakuru, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu, Migori, Siaya and Vihiga.
In order to make the adjustment, beneficiaries have been asked to dial *254# and follow the prompts up to where they choose the OJE programme. Once there, beneficiaries will go through the prompts up to where they will adjust their skills.
According to officials from NYOTA, reselection is important in ensuring that beneficiaries can align their skills with what the employers require. This, according to officials, will ensure that beneficiaries get jobs, increase productivity and ensure that they get careers.
The change comes days after the young people finished with six months of OJE training programme where each beneficiary got Ksh 6,000 per month in a stipend.
The overall objective of the OJE programme is to offer more than 90,000 beneficiaries aged 18 and 29 years hands-on training, mentorship, certification and work experience so that they can get employed.
The programme forms part of a broader scheme valued at Ksh 33 billion which seeks to help over 800,000 vulnerable youths with skills training, mentorship and seed money.