Virtual learning lifts youths out of joblessness, report shows

Irene Githinji @gitshee

Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) students perceive virtual learning as a positive development in transitioning into employment and entrepreneurship and in adopting digital tools for business, a new report shows.

The survey on where students transitioned after undergoing virtual learning last year showed that only 27 per cent of the respondents are unemployed, with 43.9 per cent and 29.1 per cent being in formal employment and self-employment, respectively, translating to a transition rate of 73 per cent.

The scope of the study focused on CAP Youth Empowerment Institute’s (CAPYEI) Learning Management System (LMS), an e-learning platform launched last year for the organisation’s educational centres and partnering public VTCs.

“At the time of preparing the report, at least 1,211 had completed their respective courses on LMS.

The research population comprised students, who have completed various courses after undergoing a virtual learning programme at either CAP YEI’s educational centres or VTCs using CAP YEI’s LMS platform,” read the findings of the survey, conducted between February and last month.

While in employment and entrepreneurship, some of the benefits respondents attributed to having studied through a digital learning platform include extended market reach (28.1 per cent), increased sales (18 per cent), increased revenue (13.7 per cent), reduced costs (11.5 per cent), and legal/regulatory compliance (10.4 per cent).

The report also showed that about 95.3 per cent agreed that undergoing virtual learning influenced their decision to adopt digital tools to carry out work and business related tasks.

According to respondents, the most popular digital tools is social media/digital marketing (52.9 per cent), website (12.6 per cent), management software/programmes (11.9 per cent), data analytics (10.4 per cent), and video conferencing (9.4 per cent).

“Though they found the platform to be largely easy to use, they indicated that issues of internet and network connectivity and access to technological gadgets were the main challenges,” said the report.

CAPYEIs’ connect disadvantaged youth with opportunities to acquire life and market-relevant skills and facilitate their transition to corporate employment and self-employment.