The Government has established over 300 Constituency Innovation Hubs (CIHs) where the youth are trained on online jobs through the Ajira Digital platform.
The ICT Principal Secretary (PS), Jerome Ochieng said the technology centers will provide the youth with a platform to source online jobs to enable them earn decent wages.
The PS said spaces for normal employment opportunities in the country are diminishing and hence the need to work outside the country through online jobs adding that they target to bring on board over one million youth into the programme to work online.
He said the world was heading away from traditional formal jobs at physical place presence to individuals working for multiple employers online.
“The hubs aim at empowering the youth to earn decent wages from online work and enable enterprises enhance performance and develop tools to solve complex problems through use of digital platforms,” the PS said.
“We aim to stimulate innovation in line with our ICT policy, encourage youth to come up with new ideas and ways of utilizing technology to get jobs. We challenge the youth to put their MPs on their toes to open up these hubs,” he said.
The PS said through partnership with CDF boards and County Governments, they target to establish four CIHs in each constituency where the ICT ministry provides free laptops, internet and free training while the CDF gives out halls where the equipment will be set.
Ochieng was speaking on Saturday during Kiambu County Talent Search Finals in Thika.
He welcomed the interest expressed by various county governments in opening innovation hubs, saying it would boost the Ministry’s determination to ensure youth take up online jobs.
“That’s why we are working towards the achievement of universal access to technology by formulating policy frameworks that seek to provide accessible and affordable internet. This will enable us achieve the over one million youth partaking online jobs,” he said.
The PS at the same time called on the youth to take up creative arts as a way of earning a living, saying the industry paid well.
“Desist from putting your energies in looking for formal jobs. There are a lot of opportunities in the creative economy and in online jobs. You need a smart phone or laptop and internet connectivity and then work at your own convenience,” he advised.
By Muoki Charles
