ArcSkills at Kipeto wind farm

Addressing the Skills Gap in Kenya

Kenya’s construction industry output has risen on average 13% year on year since 2014. There is an estimated gap of over 500,000 mid-level technicians hampering the country’s economic growth prospects. At the same time, Kenya is experiencing high youth unemployment; 80% of those unemployed are below the age of 30.

ArcSkills is helping to bridge this skills gap by offering international accredited construction and hospitality training to individuals from informal settlements around the Kipeto wind farm.

The team saw an opportunity to match ArcSkills provision with both community and contractor needs. The first cohort of students are undergoing the vocational training program which includes classes on steel fixing, masonry and hospitality services. The funding will support 250 students over the year.

All students who have already graduated from the Kipeto ArcSkills programme now have jobs with the Kipeto development team.