CS Kuria Allows Qatar Businessmen To Access NYS Training In New Deal

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has announced that President William Ruto's administration will allow members of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce to access National Youth Service (NYS) training.

In a statement, the CS revealed that the move will allow the businessmen to acquire a workforce that matches their industry needs.

"All over the world, employers are excited about recruiting a highly trained and disciplined workforce that has undergone paramilitary training, technical skills training and mandatory civic duty through the National Youth Service.

NYS officers during the pass-out parade at Gilgil, Nakuru County on December 8, 2023. /PCS

"Today in Doha I met the Vice Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce Sheikh Mohammed Bin Twar Al Kuwairi. The Qatar Chamber Members will have access to the NYS for specialised fit-for-purpose training for their workforce based on their specific industry needs," the CS stated.

Furthermore, CS Kuria noted that the collaboration will ensure the country produces a workforce that is best suited for the Middle East market.

He noted that the move was informed by a demand from foreign markets to hire a workforce that has undergone paramilitary training. 

"This win-win partnership will create thousands of jobs for our youths while helping Qatar bridge its labour deficit," Kuria added.

The move comes barely a month after President Ruto directed all Kenyans seeking jobs abroad to undergo NYS training before being deployed.

Speaking at the pass-out ceremony of the NYS in Gilgil, Nakuru, Ruto explained that Kenyans needed the training to understand what it takes in terms of the demands that come with working in jobs outside the country.

"Already we are concluding negotiations with Germany, Saudi Arabia, and 8 other countries on the export of labour and NYS will be the central organisation for redeployment training so that Kenyans understand what they need to do for work as labour that is exported," Ruto stated at the time.

In August 2023, the Presidential Working Party on Educational Reforms recommended that the government introduce mandatory community service training which is similar to the NYS program in the 1980s.

Should the recommendations be adopted, all students graduating from senior school (secondary school) will be subjected to mandatory community service training for three months.

At the same time, those graduating from university will be required to go through the same training for nine months before entering the job market.