The government has launched the national skills inventory, which seeks to enhance job placement of unemployed youth.

Labour Principal Secretary, Shadrack Mwadime said yesterday that the Government seeks to export at least one million annually, adding that it is important to have an inventory of all skills available to also identify gaps that need to be addressed.

“We intend to export at a minimum, owing to the current situation, at least a million. You know you have to set your objective high, you cannot limit yourself to a lower figure yet there are many young Kenyans, highly skilled, who are suffering out there because they are unable to secure employment.  We have set a target of a million opportunities owing to the status of economy in terms of the unemployment rate,” said Mwadime, in a press conference held at the Ministry headquarters.

The PS said he also had a discussion with German officials yesterday and seeks to sign a bilateral labor agreement by June and their indication is getting at least 250,000 on their market in two years, given that there are about 2 million jobs that open up for international labour market.

He also cited another 100,000 opportunities being pursued in Russia and 30,000 in Serbia and the country will keep on knocking doors.

“It is important for us to have an inventory of all the skills we have so as to see the are gaps that need to be addressed not only on matters labor migration but also on the skills that we have so that going forward. We will ensure a smooth labor migration to these destination countries and address the gaps and assist us in terms of the plans to have as many of the young people take up those opportunities that are opening up,” he explained.

He also said the national skill inventory comes against the backdrop of challenges raised by some employers who feel the kind of graduates produced some times are not able to match the requirements of the industry or the economy.