Upskilling young people with skills in automechanics

November 20, 2019

Each year approximately 800,000 young people in Kenya enter the job market but one of the biggest challenges is inadequate opportunities for jobs. Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) is one of the approaches Kenya is using to provide alternative opportunities for skills and knowledge transfer where youth can become more competitive in the blue-collar job market.

In Turkana County, where there is a high demand for professional auto-mechanic services, 18 youth from the Kakuma refugee camp and host community have been enrolled in a one-year auto mechanic and entrepreneurship training with the Toyota Academy. The Toyota service technicians for the 21stcentury (TST21) course will focus on: transferring knowledge and skills through auto mechanics technologies; increasing the opportunities for employment and decent work for the youth and boost the number of youth engaged in wage and self- employment; and, enhancing efficiency in project management processes to facilitate self-employment and startups among young people.

“The increase of motor vehicles in Turkana County means that the demand for skilled mechanics to undertake regular service and repairs is also on the rise. With skills acquired from this training, once I complete the course, I will open up a garage and service centre as well as train others interested in this work”said Daniel Aryong,

To ensure quality of the training, the project has skilled and experienced trainers and coaches in the respective area of training from Toyota Kenya offering advanced/professional training that will help to develop or improve relevant skills of the trainees to be better placed in accessing the labor market. 

“In my community,  very few women are involved in automotive industry. This training will better my life, I can work confidently in a garage or offer technical assistance to others. I also plan to motivate other women in my community to take up automotive jobs. I would like to encourage more women to take up these technical and vocational skills that will boost them financially and enable them to effectively support their families.” Monica Erika

Anchored under SDGs, 1 – No poverty;  SDG 8 on Decent work and economic growth; and, SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals,  the project with support from the Japan Government leverages on Public Private Partnerships model to tap into the expertise and comparative advantages of UNDP, UNHCR and Toyota Kenya Foundation Registered Trustees (TKFRT) to deliver the expected results.

Julius Etabo is already optimistic of the training outcome. “Relevant skills helps one to become self-reliant. After my training, I will go back home in Lodwar, and start my own business. I will open a workshop garage where I can work with others."

At the end of the training, the youthful technicians will able carry both minor and major service on Toyota Models, develop personal and entrepreneurial skills; while raising the skill level of automotive technicians in the informal enterprise sector (Jua-Kali).