How Skilled Kenyans with No Certificates Can Acquire Them and Get Jobs

The government has launched a plan targeting millions of Kenyans who possess technical skills and experience but lack certificates under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project.

In a notice on Tuesday, June 24, the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy announced that such Kenyans can now acquire certificates through a new program under the NYOTA project. 

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program will enable skilled and experienced Kenyans in the informal sector to obtain official certification.

According to the State Department, the certification acquired through RPL is nationally recognised.

The skills include carpentry, hairdressing, welding, mechanics, fashion design, ICT, and others.

“Do you have technical skills and experience but no certificates to show for it? Have you been self-taught or trained on the job? It’s your time to shine with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) under the NYOTA Project!” read part of the notice.

“If you’ve got the skills, RPL helps you get officially certified, boost your chances for employment or business growth. Open doors to further training and career growth.”

Also Read: CEOs Offered Chance to Hire 45,000 Youths Under World Bank Funding

How to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning

To qualify, one must be a youth aged 18-29 years, or up to 35 years for youth with disabilities.

Also, they must have an informally acquired technical skill and have a Form 4 level of education or below.

To apply, applicants are required to dial the USSD code *254#, which was also the method of submitting applications for the NYOTA project.

“Applicants are not required to pay for services under the NYOTA project,” the notice adds.

For further enquiries, applicants can visit the website: www.nyotaproject.go.ke or call its toll-free number: 0800222221.

The NYOTA project is a government initiative funded by the World Bank, which is aimed at increasing employment as well as income through skilling, apprenticeship and business support, in addition to inculcating a savings culture among the beneficiaries.

In December 2024, the Ministry of Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the project intends to empower 820,000 unemployed youths across Kenya.

NYOTA project

CS Murkomen at the time said that the five-year initiative is designed to address youth unemployment by providing practical skills through apprenticeships and fostering entrepreneurship.

Also Read: How to Apply for Ksh50,000 World Bank Program for Kenyan Form 4 Leavers

Months later, NYOTA, in a notice on Thursday, March 27, announced that applications for the project’s first cycle had been opened.

Applications were open for Kenyan youth in all 47 counties and for refugees in Garissa and Turkana.

The program provides financial support to kickstart business ventures. This can include grants, loans, or equity investments, depending on the nature of the business and its potential for growth.

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