Nairobi: The strong bilateral relations between Kenya and Germany have once again opened fresh career opportunities for Kenyan youth, with 29 nursing students from Mount Kenya University (MKU), set to travel to the foreign country next month for an apprenticeship programme. The new cohort brings to 55 the total number of MKU students already working or undergoing training in German institutions.

According to Kenya News Agency, the programme, facilitated through a partnership between MKU, Hochschule Koblenz and AG Career Hub, has seen the first batch of six students, followed by 10 and 11 students in the second and third cohorts, respectively, getting apprenticeship opportunities in the European country.

Speaking during the second edition of the German Career Fair, German and Kenyan officials reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in skills training and youth employment. Germany's Special Federal Commissioner for Migration Agreements, Joachim Stamp, said the initiative is mutually beneficial, addressing Germany's skills shortage, while offering Kenyan youth dignified employment abroad.

Kenyan officials echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the initiative aligns with the country's priorities of tackling youth unemployment, boosting remittances and promoting knowledge transfer. MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi hailed the collaboration, noting that it was creating jobs, enhancing skills trade and encouraging cultural exchange.

Some of the beneficiaries, including nursing students Lewis Kamanga, Rose Wahuthi and Margaret Waingo, expressed optimism that the experience would not only shape their careers but also help them contribute solutions to local and global challenges. Kamanga mentioned the acquisition of skills to address health challenges, while Wahuthi emphasized applying knowledge gained in Germany to support Kenyan healthcare and reduce joblessness.

The apprenticeship initiative is expected to expand beyond nursing to include ICT, engineering and technical trades, further strengthening Kenya-Germany ties, while also providing more pathways for Kenyan youth to access global job markets.