Dadaab:At least 10,000 young people from refugee and host communities in Dadaab, Kakuma, and Kalobeyei are poised to benefit from a seven-year skills development and employment initiative sponsored by the Government of Canada. This project aims to expand economic opportunities and promote self-reliance among displaced populations in Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project, named Strengthening Skills Training Ecosystems and Pathways (STEP), will be implemented by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) at a cost of 18 million Canadian dollars (approximately Sh1.6 billion). It is designed to equip young people with market-relevant skills, promote entrepreneurship, and connect them to digital economic opportunities, creating pathways to formal employment, including international labor markets.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya, Joshua Tabah, highlighted that the project aims to unlock the potential of youth in refugee settlements and surrounding host communities by connecting them to skills training, mentorship, and employment opportunities. Tabah emphasized Canada’s commitment to supporting refugee-hosting communities and complementing ongoing humanitarian assistance.
The initiative sets a strong focus on women, girls, and marginalized groups, aiming to provide access to market-relevant technical, vocational, entrepreneurial, and digital skills. It is expected to benefit not only the direct participants but also their families and communities through improved livelihoods and stronger economic participation.
Mercy Mwasaru, the acting Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, stressed the importance of integrating refugees and host communities, advocating for projects like STEP that advance the Shirika Plan’s approach to development. She highlighted the need for education as a foundation for unlocking opportunities and called for investments in quality learning to prepare youth for the labor market’s changing demands.
Refugee student Ahmed Sahal from Somalia noted that the project’s emphasis on digital skills would prepare young people for the technological landscape, including artificial intelligence. South Sudanese student Nyakhor Buob expressed optimism that the initiative would provide young women and girls with the support needed to pursue their ambitions and avoid challenges faced in the past.
The STEP initiative represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between education, skills development, and employment, offering renewed hope and direction for young refugees and host community members in Kenya.
Source Kenya News Agency
