Boost for Kenya-Germany skilled labour partnership as 29 trainees start internship

Bilateral relations between the Kenyan Government and the Federal Government of Germany have borne fruit with hundreds of Kenyans including students getting opportunities to train and work abroad.

Kenya and Germany signed the Migration and Employment Agreement in 2024 in Berlin which has facilitated migration of Kenyan students and skilled workers to Germany for the last one year.

The latest cohort of such trainees are 29 nursing students at Mount Kenya University (MKU) who are set to depart for Germany next month.

The Kenyan university has played a pioneering role in implementing the agreement through its collaboration with Hochschule Koblenz and AG Career Hub which has previously seen successful training and deployment of three cohorts of nursing graduates to Germany.

Speaking during the second edition of MKU’s German Career Fair and commissioning of the fourth cohort of 29 nursing students to migrate to the European nation, the Vice-Chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said the partnership between the two countries has created more opportunities for jobs, skills trade as well as cultural exchange.

“The Kenya-Germany skilled labour migration partnership reflects our shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for our young people while strengthening bilateral ties between our two nations,” Prof Jaganyi said.

In attendance were Joachim Stamp, Special Federal Commissioner for Migration Agreements, Germany and Kerstin Pfirrmann, Head of the Culture Department, Germany Embassy Kenya and Anja Bengelstroff, German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD), among others.

The VC reiterated that the university has invested heavily to ensure that the training offered meets global standards, noting that they have redesigned the curricula to align with industry needs, introduced comprehensive German language proficiency programmes, and adopted competency-based education models that equip graduates with the skills required to excel in international markets.

“These initiatives ensure that our students are not only academically prepared but also culturally and professionally ready to integrate into the German labour market,” stated the VC.

Beneficiaries of the programme have to undergo German language training which was introduced by the University in 2023.

Also, an AI-enabled German Language Training Programme has been pioneered to enhance learning efficiency and ensure that even more students qualify for international apprenticeship programmes.

“Today’s career fair provides an important platform for our students to engage directly with German employers, government representatives, and professionals already working in Germany,

“I encourage all our students to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to seek guidance, explore career pathways, and understand the requirements for successful careers in Germany,” noted Prof Jaganyi.

The academician further disclosed that the University is set to expand the collaboration beyond nursing profession and introduce skilled labour migration opportunities in ICT, engineering, technical trades and other sectors critical to both Kenyan and German economies.

“Furthermore, our vision includes establishing German language as one of the foreign languages taught at MKU, and deepening partnerships with German institutions for cross-border training and digital learning programs to enhance global employability for our graduates,” Prof Jaganyi said.

He underscored the importance of skilled labour migration noting that it not only creates jobs but also contributes towards economic growth through remittances, skills transfer and knowledge exchange.

The VC reiterated that the partnership between MKU and German institutions resonates strongly with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan, which prioritise youth employment and diaspora engagement as key drivers of economic transformation.

 Stamp averred that through the Migration and Employment Agreement, more opportunities will be created for skilled Kenyan youths to work in German firms and institutions.

“The number of young people working or studying in Germany is increasing, the numbers are not high yet, but they are rising and we are creating more opportunities because we need qualified people to be part of our society in Germany,” he said.

Lewis Kamanga, Rose Wahuthi and Margaret Waingo, who are among the beneficiaries, were elated with the noble opportunity presented to them saying that they will utilize it to enhance their skills and grow their careers further.