First Batch of NYS Graduates Depart to Saudi Arabia for Work Opportunities

46 graduates from the National Youth Service (NYS) have departed to Saudi Arabia where they secured employment.

This group represents the first wave of a larger cohort of 273 NYS graduates expected to depart for Saudi Arabia this month. The departure ceremony, led by Shadrack Mwadime, Principal Secretary of Labour and Skills Development, was a momentous occasion. Joining him were acting NYS Director General Ndambiri Nyagah and proud families of the graduates. This successful event stems from a new partnership between the Ministry of Labour and private recruitment agencies, aiming to connect Kenyan youth with employment opportunities abroad.

Virginia Murigu, CEO of Satma Agencies which facilitates the placements, reveals that the graduates will be employed in various sectors including caregiving, administrative assistance, and hospitality. This development signifies, according to Mr Mwadime, the NYS's growing capacity to supply highly trained workers for international job markets. He envisions Kenya becoming a recognized source of skilled and disciplined labor in the near future.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by Kenyan migrant workers, Mr Mwadime encouraged the graduates to embrace this opportunity and acquire new skills. He emphasized the potential for these skills to benefit their home country upon their return. Additionally, the Principal Secretary announced collaboration between the State Department and the Investment Authority of Kenya to establish legal frameworks protecting remittances sent by migrant workers. He highlighted the crucial role remittances play in Kenya's development, serving as a significant source of investment and revenue.

President William Ruto previously announced the use of the NYS as a training institution for aspiring international workers. Negotiations with Germany, Saudi Arabia, and eight other countries are underway to facilitate labour export, with the NYS acting as the central hub for pre-deployment training. Through this initiative, Kenyan workers will be adequately prepared to represent their nation abroad with competence and skill.