The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in collaboration with Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and various stakeholders, have launched the Kenya Standard Classification of Occupations (KeSCO) alongside Employer Skills and Occupations Survey (ESOS) Reports in the direction of improving the labour sector.
The two Reports undertaken, which sampled 47 establishments and firms spread across the country, aim to provide deeper insights and offer occupational information on existing gaps, by outlining occupations in demand as well as identify areas to improve on.
The Reports also highlighted key employability skills such as communication skills, customer handling skills, work ethics, managerial and planning abilities.
Presiding over the launch, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS), Florence Bore, said that the government recognizes the importance of Labour Market Information (LMI), which aids in employment planning, policy development and facilitation of labour mobility within the country and across borders.
In line with this recognition, she added, the government through the Resource Planning and Development Department launched KeSCO 2022, which is a revised version of Kenya National Occupational Classification Standard (KNOCS) of 2000, along with the ESOS 2023.
Bore noted that in 2000, the government developed (KNOCS) in response to the perennial need of having documents, that defines and classifies occupations within the economy, stating that it is the standard aim of occupational data to provide comprehensive updates and reliable labour market information.
“The standard ensures international computability and exchange of statistical and administrative data relating to occupations,” stated Bore.
In a speech read on her behalf by Ministry of Labor and Social Protection Principal Secretary (PS), Geoffrey Kaituko, Bore maintained that the advent of globalization, changing technology and work processes necessitated the revision of the national standards classification occupation to international standards.
“Goods and services continue to shape Kenya’s labour market dynamics, therefore, the changes have seen some occupations rendered absolute, others emerging while others have changed titles,” remarked the CS.
Echoing Bore’s remarks, National Human Resource Planning and Development (NHRPD) Acting Director, Francis Mitiambo, stated that the Reports will assist in making important decisions and plan for future manpower requirements as a nation.
He added that the data analysis collected in the Reports will not only help the stakeholders, but also those who are venturing into the job market.
By Phinta Amondi
