Take up online work to beat joblessness – CS Mucheru urges youths

As Covid-19 continues to dampen the government’s bid to create more job opportunities for the unemployed, youngsters in the country have been urged to take up online jobs to support their livelihoods.
 
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru told youths that there are numerous opportunities in digital work space and that youngsters should take advantage to make a decent income.
 
He stated that the government has eased access to digital opportunities in the country through the Ajira Programme that was piloted in the country by the Ministry of ICT in 2016.
 
The CS made the remarks in a speech read by ICT CAS Lucy Mulili during the launch of Zetech University Ajira Club in Ruiru over the weekend.
He reiterated that though the COVID-19 pandemic has lowered revenue and reduced job opportunities, it has also led to a huge demand for online part-time jobs compared to full-time employment.
Mucheru noted that the Pandemic has seen companies shift their focus and develop new digital products in a bid to stay afloat.
He said that the state-backed project aimed at training up to a million youth a year with digital skills for freelance online jobs.
The programme was launched in 2017 to equip youth with skills for freelance online work in a bid to cut high unemployment levels.
“Work is work. Even digital work is work and this is actually the way to go.The opportunities in the digital work space surpass the number of digital workers. It is my plea to our youth to enroll in the Ajira Programme so that they can benefit and make online work as an alternative employment,” Mucheru said in the speech.
 
Mucheru revealed that his Ministry in collaboration with members of parliament has opened Ajira youth empowerment centers in all constituencies where youths can enroll and get training as well as mentorship.
 
“So far, close to 60,000 youths have been trained and have already ventured into online working.
Some of the training they receive include Transcription, Digital Marketing, Virtual Assistance, Data entry and management and Online Writing. The training is aimed at imparting hands-on skills and knowledge to the youth as well as sharpening their digital skills,” said Mucheru.
 
The CS revealed testimonials of students in various higher learning institutions who have been paying their own school fees and rents courtesy of the program.
 
CAS Mulili on her part noted that the Ministry is sourcing for partnerships that will ease internet connectivity and lower costs to enable students as well as youths struggling to make a livelihood from digital work access the internet easily.
 
Zetech University Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said that the University is ready to host Ruiru’s Ajira hub to assist students and youths from the populous constituency access the facility and training with ease.
 
“The future is in your hands, dream high, be ambitious and take up the available jobs for a better life,” said Prof. Munene.