By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
Kenya’s
State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy is exploring a potential
partnership with LinkedIn to expand access to digital learning, professional
networking and employment opportunities for Kenyans.
The
discussions took place during a meeting chaired by Principal Secretary for ICT
and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, with LinkedIn Head of Public Sector,
Louis Maret, accompanied by Pathways Technologies Group Chief Executive Officer
and President, Joel Onditi.
Eng.
Tanui described LinkedIn as a valuable platform that enables Kenyans to connect
with professionals, discover career opportunities and access employment
prospects, including in the global market.
“Many
of our professionals are already on the platform. They use it to connect with
one another and explore career opportunities. A number of employers also use
the platform for recruitment,” the Principal Secretary said.
With
more than four million Kenyan users and over 1.4 billion users globally,
LinkedIn offers Kenyan professionals, particularly young people, access to a
wider network of career and professional development opportunities.
“With
these numbers, the platform provides a strong global network that can open up
significant opportunities for Kenyans,” Tanui noted.
Beyond
professional networking and recruitment, the discussions also focused on
LinkedIn Learning, the platform’s online educational service, which provides
access to thousands of courses designed to build professional and technical
skills.
Maret
said Kenya could benefit from the platform’s learning resources, particularly
courses focused on emerging technologies and the digital skills required in a
rapidly evolving employment landscape.
“This
will give young Kenyans access to courses that equip them with the skills of
the future in a fast-paced environment,” he said.
The
proposed collaboration seeks to explore how digital learning and professional
networking can equip Kenyans with relevant skills, strengthen their
competitiveness in the job market and expand access to employment opportunities
locally and internationally.
