A digital platform, DALMA, has been launched in Nairobi to connect TVET graduates with employment opportunities, internships, and industrial attachments. The platform, developed by Mukuru Slums Development Project in partnership with the Technical University of Kenya and supported by the Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA), aims to bridge the gap between acquiring technical skills and securing employment. The platform will initially target students and graduates from TVET institutions serving young people in Mukuru and Kibera informal settlements.
The DALMA platform provides training in entrepreneurship and employability, helping young people improve their CV-writing skills, confidence, and ability to present themselves to potential employers. According to Benjamin Kaluu, DALMA Project Manager, the platform was developed to address the gap between acquiring technical skills and securing employment. He stated that the app came as a tool to bridge the gap between skill and employability.
The initiative has already made significant progress, with 612 students trained through the pilot programme and 300 successfully linked to job opportunities across different trades in Nairobi. James Wamwangi, SIFA Country Coordinator, noted that many graduates have the required technical skills but struggle to access employers and job opportunities. He emphasized that the platform allows employers to post vacancies while graduates can identify and apply for opportunities matching their skills.
Beyond job matching, the platform provides training in entrepreneurship and employability, including guidance on preparing credible CVs and presenting skills to potential employers. Anne Muthoni, Programme Director at Mukuru Slums Development Project, expressed hope that the platform could be expanded to give more TVET graduates access to employment opportunities. She called on the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to consider adopting the platform as a national tool for connecting TVET graduates with employers.
The platform is now open to TVET institutions and graduates from other parts of the country, allowing students to access internship and attachment opportunities, gain workplace experience, and build their professional networks. Project organizers emphasize that increasing awareness of the platform among TVET institutions, students, and employers will be critical to expanding its reach and ensuring more skilled young people transition into the labour market.
The DALMA platform has the potential to make a significant impact on the employment prospects of TVET graduates in Kenya. By providing a direct link between graduates and employers, the platform can help address the challenge of unemployment among young people. The platform's focus on entrepreneurship and employability training also equips graduates with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the job market.
As the platform continues to grow and expand, it is likely to have a positive impact on the lives of many young people in Kenya. With the support of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and employers, the DALMA platform can become a valuable tool for connecting TVET graduates with employment opportunities and helping them achieve their career goals.
Key points
- The DALMA platform provides a digital pathway for TVET graduates to access employment opportunities, internships, and industrial attachments.
- The platform offers training in entrepreneurship and employability, including guidance on preparing credible CVs and presenting skills to potential employers.
- The initiative has already linked 300 students to job opportunities across different trades in Nairobi, with plans to expand to other parts of the country.
