The 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) estimates that the population aged 35 years and below accounts for 75% of Kenya’s population. When appropriately tapped into such a demographic structure presents a “demographic dividend” that would contribute to the realization of the UN Agenda 2030 (Sustainable Development Goals). However, an emerging challenge impeding the conversion of the “youth bulge” into a “demographic dividend” is the high unemployment rate which has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition, the lack of experience and mismatch between skills and job openings further compound the youth unemployment challenge. A variety of sectors report not filling available jobs with recent graduates on account of applicants having insufficient skills. 

254 Youth Policy Café is implementing a student-centred mentorship and coaching programme that seeks to equip university students with the prerequisite knowledge, and skills (both technical and soft) required to tap into existing opportunities in the public policy ecosystem. The specific objectives of the Programme will be to:

• Boost the academic performance of students by providing them with basic skills in research and report writing, and references to resources including extra credit programs and courses that would enhance subject-specific knowledge;
• Improve participation of students in the public policymaking process, including through pursuing careers that directly influence the public policy-making process; and 
• Enhance self-awareness among students and create awareness of the intersection of self-awareness and career development.  

1. 1 on 1 Mentor mentee coaching sessions
2. Group sessions guided by a structured curriculum 
3. Practical sessions on CV and Cover Letter development 
4. Guided development and publishing of a blog
5. Vlog feature 

This programme has been developed in collaboration with Zetech University-School of Business & Economics