The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) partnered with the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) and Nexford University to undertake the Skills Needs Survey Report for Kenya which uncovered many things about the training and the industry needs in Kenya. It noted first that 49.1 percent of the job seekers lacked effective communication skills which means that many were unable to express themselves in the course of undertaking their duties. This has a bearing on how the entire organization communicates and hence makes connection to their customers and clients at that matter. Secondly the report cited the lack of critical thinking skills at 41.7 percent. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts objectively and form a judgement. It includes aspects like emotional intelligence, enhanced decision making in an effective way, open mindedness, application of constructive conflicts and generally the ability to think out of challenges that affect an organization and the way forward for the same. Critical thinking is needed to be able to see different angles and ways of resolving challenges and problems and hence a key skill towards industrialization, manufacturing and accelerated national development path. Thirdly, the report noted that job seekers lacked management skills at 36 percent – these includes technical skills, conceptual skills, human or interpersonal skills, planning, communication, decision making, delegation, problem solving and motivating among others. These are skills necessary to execute and cause execution of desired progress and activities in an organization.
The fourth skill that had mismatch between the employers’ expectations from employers according to the survey was computer skills and proficiency at 36 percent. Employers cited that many job seekers lacked adequate computer use proficiency. This is despite the advancement in the use of computers and other computing devices in places of work in the current era of development. According to Kepios analysis, there were 17.86 million internet users in Kenya as at January 2023, and the internet penetration stood at 32.7 percent at the same time. The Ibrahim Forum report of 2021 showed that 58 percent of Kenyans have access to internet and only 29 percent of the population have basic ICT literacy skills. Fifth, the report noted that 28 percent of employers cited lack of masterly of foreign language among job seekers, when in reality some international jobs in the United Nations and other entities may require proficiency in one or two of these foreign languages. Sixth, the report noted that 27.5 percent of job seekers lacked the skill of team work at 27.5 percent and another 23.4 percent of the job seekers lacked the time management skills at 23.4 percent. Dr Giti is an urban management, public – private partnerships (PPP) and environment specialist. mutegigiti@gmail.com , @danielgiti
Dr. Daniel Mutegi Giti 