In today’s fast-evolving world of work, young people face a labour market that is increasingly competitive, digital, and skills-driven. Academic credentials alone are no longer enough to secure stable employment or career growth. Employers are prioritizing demonstrable, job-ready skills that respond to market realities, especially in technology, AI, business, and emerging industries. Against this backdrop, upskilling has become one of the most powerful tools for improving youth employability and reducing unemployment.

Upskilling is the process of acquiring new, relevant skills or enhancing existing ones to remain competitive in the workforce. For young people, especially those transitioning from education to work or navigating early-career stages, upskilling bridges the gap between training and employer expectations. In Kenya, where youth unemployment remains persistently high, targeted upskilling initiatives are not just beneficial, they are urgent.

In this context, Generation Kenya is excited to announce a new partnership with Coursera. Through Coursera’s Social Impact Program, Generation Kenya has been awarded 1,000 licenses, each providing one year of access to Coursera’s global learning platform for its alumni. This partnership represents a strategic investment in youth potential and a practical response to the realities of today’s job market. Generation has a robust 7-step methodology that not only prepares and places graduates to work but also provides robust graduate professional development. Graduate retention among our employer partners remains a key metric, and professional development strongly supports it.

This partnership is about empowering young people with future-ready skills. Coursera’s platform hosts thousands of courses from world-class universities and industry leaders, covering areas such as digital marketing, data analysis, project management, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, customer experience, and entrepreneurship. For Generation Kenya alumni, many of whom are already employed or transitioning into jobs, this access enables continuous learning that aligns with both personal career goals and labour market demand.

Coursera has rolled out professional certifications in partnership with leading educators such as Microsoft, Google, and IBM, positioning the certifications as attractive to employers. In a competitive hiring environment, certifications from reputable institutions signal credibility, competence, and commitment to growth. For Kenyan youth competing not only locally but increasingly in global and digital labour markets, such credentials enhance employability and open doors to remote, freelance, and cross-border opportunities. This is particularly important as Kenya positions itself as a regional digital talent hub.

Beyond individual employability, the broader impact of upskilling is systemic. When young people continuously upgrade their skills, they become more adaptable to economic shifts, automation, and technological disruption. This adaptability reduces long-term unemployment and underemployment by ensuring that the workforce evolves alongside industry needs. For employers, it means access to productive, innovative talent ready to contribute from day one. For the economy, it means a more resilient labour force and stronger productivity outcomes.

For Generation Kenya alumni, this is more than a learning opportunity; it is a call to action. It is an opportunity to upskill, reskill, and take the next step toward building sustainable careers. Whether strengthening technical expertise, gaining leadership capabilities, or exploring new career pathways, alumni now have the tools to remain competitive in a rapidly changing world of work.

Ultimately, reducing youth unemployment in Kenya requires more than job placement alone. It demands sustained investment in skills development, lifelong learning, and partnerships that align training with market realities. The Generation Kenya–Coursera partnership is a strong example of how collaborative, skills-focused interventions and partnerships can unlock opportunity at scale, empowering young people not just to find jobs, but to grow, compete, and thrive in the future of work.

Reach out to Nelson for inquiries: nelson.komba@generation.org