IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science ( IOSR-JHSS ) Volume 24 , Issue 2 , Ser . 7 ( March . 2021 ) 44-50 e-ISSN : 2279-0837 , p-ISSN : 2279-0845 . www . iosrjournals . org
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENTRY-LEVEL SKILLS REQUIRED BY EMPLOYERS AND SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES POSSESSED BY YOUTH IN THE LABOR MARKET IN KENYA
By Betty Cheruiyot University of Eldoret
Abstract : It is estimated that 78 % of Kenya ’ s population is aged below 35 years ( youths ) and that unemployment is the top concern for the youth at 63 %. Over the years , there have been concerns regarding the inadequate preparation of youth for the workplace , and youths lack soft skills - despite having academic qualifications and technical training . This study explored the entry-level skills and competencies required by employers and entrepreneurs ( demand ) and skills and capabilities possessed by youth entering the labor market . The study was conducted in 24 counties . Out of a sample of 8,500 respondents , 9,355 interviews were achieved including 6,362 employed youth and 693 self-employed youth - all aged between 18 - 30 years and 2,300 employers , in the formal and informal sector . Fifteen key informant interviews were also conducted . The study revealed that while educational attainment had a higher premium in the formal sector compared to the informal sector , the requirement for technical skills was similar between the formal and informal sectors . The study posits that even with the prerequisite qualifications needed for an entry-level position ; the youth cited that they were unable to acquire employment due to corruption , lack of required experience by employers , and lack of capital to start their businesses . Employees in the formal and informal sectors possessed life skills , core values , social-emotional skills , technical skills , basic computing skills , and literacy skills . There is congruence between skills demanded and skills possessed by youth across most key sectors of the economy , with employers demanding more soft skills than technical skills .
Key Words : Entry-Level Skills , Competencies , Capabilities , Labor Market , Youth
Date of Submission : 04 / 02 / 2021 Date of Acceptance : 22 / 02 / 2021
Background of the Study Youth unemployment is a growing concern globally . According to the World Employment Social Outlook , young people under the age of 25 have a higher likelihood of being unemployed than adults . The global youth unemployment rate currently stands at 13 %, meaning it is three times higher than the figure for adults , which is at 4.3 % ( ILO , 2018 ). The youth unemployment rate in Africa is expected to exceed 30 % by the end of 2019 ( ILO , 2019 ). Of the 38.1 % estimated total working poor in sub-Saharan Africa , young people account for 23.5 % ( ILO , 2016a ). In Africa , unemployment and underemployment continue to be major obstacles to the full utilization of human resources despite relatively strong growth in the region over the last decade ( Golub & Hayat , 2015 ). In Kenya , the proportion of youth is steadily increasing and is currently estimated at 9.5 million - more than 20 % of all Kenyans .