Do Kenyans Lack The Skills & Experience Needed For TOP Jobs? HR Speaks Out

By Jane Gakaria,
A recent study conducted by the Ernst and Young Company found that Kenyans don’t have the required skills to attain the top-most jobs in local organizations. As a result, this has forced firms to import skilled labour from outside the country.

That said, we asked Mr. Martin Githaiga, a HR Officer with Corporate Staffing Services whether he could attest to the authenticity of this statement and if true, what could be done to improve the situation.

So does he agree with the survey? “Yes I completely agree. There are a lot of people in the job market will little skills or lack the right skills for the job.” This then puts these people at a big disadvantage as they are not ready for the job market.

Does he have an example where he has witnessed such lack of skills? “Yes. There was a time when I interned at a government office and I’d end up doing most of the work myself as most of the other employees lacked the appropriate skills.’ And the irony he adds is that the work he would be assigned to do in a week he’d do in a day, so the other employees would encourage him to slow down so that they ‘don’t look bad’ in the employers eyes.

That said, he does agree that there are several things that the employers, employees and learning institutions can do to improve the situation. One, the employer could offer practical internships, trainings and workshops.

Though he does caution, that in some industries, hiring skilled expatriates may be cheaper for certain organizations hence don’t expect the idea of a ‘foreign boss’ to disappear anytime soon.

Two the employees can take an active role in the training offered. They should also take the challenge and be eager to learn, for in the long run the training will actually benefit them.

Thirdly, Mr. Githaiga states that learning institutions should offer a more practical based syllabus. “There is no point in having all the required papers if you can’t turn the theory into the practical.”

He also adds that professionals in the respective industries can partner up with schools to teach students the proper skills and standards or even professionals from such industries can offer to lecture at the learning institutions to give students more practical lessons.

Fourthly, the government and the relevant stakeholders should take it upon themselves to change the school curriculum to be in line with the current trends in the respective industries.

Mr. Githaiga finishes off by stating that if this issue can be solved early on while people are still in school, then most of the problems related to unskilled workers would disappear and a lot more bosses would be happy.

In conclusion, if you are a student or employee looking to join the job market without the proper skills don’t worry. Try to give yourself an edge and make the most out of every opportunity you have to improve your skills.