Soft-skills training improves job readiness among Kenyan youth —  Study reveals

A new World Bank study by World Bank researchers has found that teaching young people soft skills such as confidence, communication, and problem-solving can significantly improve their chances of finding decent jobs and thriving at work.

The study, led by Martin Paul Jr. Tabe-Ojong of the World Bank together with Kibrom Abay, Maria Laura Alzua, Laura Barasa and Phyllis M. Machio, was presented at the ongoing Women and Jobs in Africa Workshop in Accra.

Titled “Soft-Skills Training, Locus of Control and Labor Market Outcomes of Youth: Evidence from a Randomized Intervention in Kenya,” the research examined how non-technical skills can help young men and women make a smoother transition from school to work.

The study revealed that despite improvements in education, unemployment among Kenya’s youth remains high particularly among women. Many face social and cultural barriers, limited access to information and safety concerns that prevent them from pursuing decent work.

While government-run Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers equip students with technical knowledge most do not offer soft-skills lessons that help young people navigate real workplace situations.

To bridge this gap, the World Bank worked with four public TVET institutions to introduce a new soft-skills program developed by Alkimia. The course, made up of ten video-based lessons, aimed to help students build self-confidence, motivation, and career planning skills. More than 3,000 students  both male and female  took part in the training.

The findings showed clear differences in career preferences. About 47.24% of young women said they wanted to work in the public sector, compared to 38.75% of men. Meanwhile, 21.79% of men hoped to start their own businesses, compared to 13.32% of women. Around 23.98% male planned to work in the private sector, with 23.27% women and 13.53% male  said they would continue their education after graduation as compared to 14.72% women.

The study also found that the training had the biggest impact on students with a strong sense of personal control  those who believed their actions directly influenced their success.

“The training improved job outcomes for young people who had confidence in their abilities. It shows that helping youth develop the right mindset is just as important as teaching technical skills,” said Tabe-Ojong.

The researchers recommended that soft-skills training be included in all TVET programs to complement technical education, especially for young women. They believe that strengthening both emotional and practical skills will help Africa’s youth enter the workforce with greater confidence and opportunity.