Family Bank helps more young women join construction
By Soko Directory Team / Posted on October 25, 2022 | 1:30 p.m.
The Family Group Foundation and the USAID Tumikia Mtoto project implemented by World Vision Kenya today hosted a graduation ceremony for 100 DREAMS young women, bringing the total number impacted through this partnership to nearly 300 women. trained and certified in plumbing, electricity and painting.
This partnership has enabled 80% of the young women trained to make the transition to internships and acquire decently paid work on various construction sites. The KES 30 million partnership aims to improve the employability, incomes and livelihoods of vulnerable young DREAMS women, aged 18-24, from Nairobi and Kiambu counties, while building their technical skills .
Speaking at the graduation of 100 young women from Cohort 3, the CEO of Family Bank stressed the need for institutional solutions to close the gender gap.
“Adolescent girls and young women continue to face myriad challenges in realizing their potential. We therefore recognize the responsibility that rests with private and public sector players,” said Rebecca Mbithi, CEO of Family Bank.
“As a Bank and in line with our strategy, the acceleration and continuity of this program demonstrates our commitment to creating equitable access to employment opportunities for vulnerable young women. These technical skills and increased resources and investments in young women will provide them with opportunities to be agents of change. drive progress in their communities and build back stronger for all,” she said.
“I want to commend USAID, World Vision, Family Bank and The Family Group Foundation for taking on such a worthy cause. The skills these girls have learned will benefit them in the long run when they are employed and even when they start their businesses. I cannot stress enough the importance of mentorship and economic empowerment as demonstrated here today,” said Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge.
This partnership is part of the Foundation’s shared values initiatives in construction, entrepreneurship, development and business management services. Tufuzu Youth Entrepreneurship Development Project, which provides young adults with technical training and access to labor markets, funding and links with other strategic partners and the DREAMS program of the USAID Tumikia Mtoto project which is an HIV prevention initiative. DREAMS continuously connects grantees to existing public-private partnerships such as this one for a wider range of economic empowerment opportunities, thereby empowering young women and reducing their risk of HIV infection.
To better prepare interns for the job market, the USAID Tumikia Mtoto program also equips all graduates with state-of-the-art construction tool kits at no cost, which are usually an expensive investment for new professionals in the blue-collar economy. . . The toolkits equip young graduates for the labor market and distinguish them as employees of choice for construction companies.
The partnership also aims to increase household economic stability to care for and protect orphans and vulnerable children and build the capacity of community systems and structures through hands-on soft and technical skills training. The young women are not only trained in technical skills, but are also equipped with soft skills in communication, financial planning, as well as sexual and reproductive health information.
“We are proud that our graduates exemplify each of the DREAMS ideals. DREAMS works to empower at-risk young women to access remunerative economic empowerment opportunities, thereby reducing their susceptibility to HIV/AIDS and its effects,” said Mr. Paul Lilan, Chairman of the Board of DREAMS. administration of World Vision Kenya.
Technical skills training is delivered by Arc Skills, a leading provider of skills and development solutions for schools, universities and businesses. The training provided to young women is certified by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and the National Construction Authority (NCA).
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