Empowering Kenyan Youth: Introducting the New Ajira Poa WhatsApp Chatbot
In July 2024, the Ajira Poa Project launched a new WhatsApp Chatbot.
The Ajira Poa Project – which translates to ‘cool jobs’ in Swahili, is a collaborative effort led by DCA Kenya in partnership with QUERCUS Group, ADS-North Rift, Growth Africa, and the College of Career Guidance and Development (CCGD), aiming to revolutionise job creation and skills development for youth in Kenya.
Focused on Nakuru, Nyandarua, and West Pokot counties, this initiative combines job creation with skill development, supported by guidance from both public and private sector partners.
The Role of the Ajira Poa WhatsApp Chatbot
The latest development of this initiative is the new Ajira Poa WhatsApp Chatbot, designed to provide accessible information on Work Readiness and Employability Skills Training.
Targeting youth using WhatsApp, the chatbot aims to democratise access to crucial knowledge in:
- Personal Branding: Helping youth understand and promote their unique strengths and skills.
- Job Search Strategies: Guiding on effective methods and resources for finding employment opportunities.
- Cover letter and CV: Offering tips and ready-to-use models and templates
- Interview Preparation: Offering tips and advice on how to prepare for and succeed in job interviews.
Background and Intervention Areas
In Kenya, 35 per cent of the population comprise youth. Tapping into this population can occasion growth and development of the economy and the converse can lead to social problems. Youth unemployment in Kenya is a major challenge. Annually, 500,000 – 800,000 youth enter the job market; however, the available opportunities are few to absorb this number.
DCA with QUERCUS group, ADS-North Rift, Growth Africa, and Centre for Career Development and Counselling have implemented a job creation and skills development project for youth, Ajira Poa in Nakuru, Nyandarua, and West Pokot counties. The intervention areas include:
- Soft skills development – training the youth on how to navigate the economic/employment environment by first identifying oneself, relationships with others, and achievement of both personal and organisational goals. Under this package, the project is training youth on various skills including digital literacy, career guidance, life skills, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
- Technical and Vocational Training – the project is linking the youth with the existing vocational and technical education institutions to gain employable skills.
- Internship, apprenticeship, and job placements – the project is linking youth with employers in both formal and informal spaces.
- Enterprise development – the project is training youth on business skills and supporting them through business incubation, market activation, and financial linkages to assist start-ups to grow into sustainable business enterprises.
Highlight on key Achievements and Impact
Since its inception in 2021, the Ajira Poa project has achieved significant milestones:
- Provided career guidance to 4,490 youth, with entrepreneurship and internships as popular pathways.
- Tracked 4,240 beneficiaries through CommCare, focusing on college readiness and enterprise development.
- Trained 2,796 youth in digital literacy and 1,910 in financial literacy.
- Distributed 100 smartphones to enhance digital connectivity.
- Delivered life skills training to 2,081 youth and sexual reproductive health training to 2,133 youth.
- Developed a blueprint for Youth Empowerment Centres in partnership with QUERCUS GROUP.
- Supported curriculum reviews and strategic planning at 8 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs).
- Placed 1,749 youth in technical courses and provided 822 with DANIDA bursaries.
- Facilitated 586 internships/apprenticeships and supported 600 youth businesses through mentorship.
- Hosted the Dragons' Den competition, awarding 44 businesses with 1.8 million KES.
- Rolled out a 10 million KES revolving fund with SMEP Microfinance, benefitting 40 youth groups.
- Trained 50 trainers in the new Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) for VTCs.
- Conducted digital jobs skilling for 100 participants in high-demand areas.
- Strengthened youth ministry capacities through exchange programs and peer learning.
- Supported the establishment of Youth Empowerment Centres in Nakuru and Nyandarua counties.
- Developed a work readiness chatbot and facilitated market activation events for 100 youths.
Additionally, the project supported the passage of three youth policies at cabinet level, pending approval at local county assemblies.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, the Ajira Poa project aims to build upon its successes, fostering a self-sustainable model for job and skills development. By leveraging technology such as the Ajira Poa WhatsApp Chatbot, the project continues to empower Kenya’s youth, enabling them to define their career paths, enhance their employability, and achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.
Join us in supporting Kenya's next generation through the Ajira Poa project, where every youth's potential is nurtured and empowered for a brighter future.
Further Reading and Resources
🔗Would you like to read more about the Ajira Poa Project? Click here for details.
🔗Do you want to delve deeper into the stories of Hannah, William and Peter, who are featured in the pictures of this article? Click here to read their stories
Ajira Poa Chatbot: +254 710 995129