The State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has announced a recruitment exercise for youths wishing to work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In a letter dated January 6, 2025 and addressed to the Nyeri National Polytechnic Chief Principal Dr David Mwangi, TVET PS Dr Esther Mworia requested the institution to not only host the function but help in mobilizing the youth from the surrounding community to turn up for the exercise.
Dr Mworia has underscored the need by learning institutions to support the Government’s effort in opening employment opportunities for young Kenyans as one way of addressing the ballooning unemployment challenge facing the country.
“The Government of Kenya is committed to supporting labour mobility as a strategic intervention to address youth unemployment and bridge skills gaps in destination countries. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of leveraging the potential of TVET graduates to meet global workforce demands, while fostering economic growth through international employment opportunities,” reads part of the PS’s letter.
“This is to request that you host this recruitment exercise that will involve TVET institutions in Nyeri County, mobilize participants by reaching out to your institution’s alumni and youths within the surrounding communities to participate in this exercise and provide necessary support through preparation of materials for the interviews,” added Dr Mworia.
The local recruitment entity for the exercise is Bluewave International Services Limited; an accredited private agency duly registered under the National Employment Authority (NEA).
The agency has been contracted by Right Force Manpower Services L.L.C of the United Arab Emirates.
Manpower Services plans to hire a total of 3,850 persons to work as steel fixers, masons, carpenters, civil helpers, scaffolders, water proofing technicians, electricians, plumbers and AC duct men, according to a letter dated January 3, 2025 and copied to Blue Wave International.
Successful candidates will be expected to work in any of the six emirates of the UAE on a two-year renewable contract.
Workers will be entitled to free transport, a food allowance, medical cover and a one day off every week.
Salaries will range from 900 UAD (equivalent to Sh35,000) to 1,500 UAD (or Sh52,000).
Amos Mbugua, who is the Managing Director of BlueWave International has told KNA those to be considered must be less than 41 years, be medically fit and in possession of all the required professional certificates including a clearance from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Mbugua has also said the exercise will be fair and none of those who will meet the needed requirements for the advertised posts will be turned away.
“We are looking forward to having a successful exercise similar to what we witnessed in July last year when we recruited 300 persons in Nyeri to work in Qatar. We therefore wish to urge all those in possession of certificates in the advertised openings to come out and get a chance of flying out to earn in order to support themselves and their families. We also plan to liaise with officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and see whether they can come to the venue and assist those who qualify but lack certificates of Good Conduct to acquire the documents as a matter of urgency,” he said.
For those who will lack money to pay for their air tickets, the official said arrangements are being made to ensure such persons can get funds from the Youth Enterprise Fund and later repay the money once they settle down in the UAE.
The Government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has embarked on an aggressive job recruitment under the Kazi Majuu slogan drive for young Kenyans willing to work abroad.
Last year, Labour and Social Protection CS, Dr Alfred Mutua, announced that the State was seeking at least 10,000 Kenyans to work in the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates beginning this year.
Those who wish to be considered for the opportunities must have trained either as steel fixers, masons, scaffolders, carpenters or water proofing technicians.
Successful candidates will be issued with their letters on the spot and given a few days in order to process all their travel requirements prior to flying out of the country.
By Samuel Maina
