Kenya and Germany have embarked on a groundbreaking partnership, signing the Comprehensive Agreement on Sharing of Labour, Talent and Mobility in Berlin.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, has provided valuable resources for Kenyans aspiring to work in Germany. She highlighted two essential websites:
1. https://make-it-in-germany.com/en/
2. https://deutschland.de/de/arbeiten-in-deutschland
The Driving Forces Behind the Agreement
PS Njogu elaborated on the factors propelling this initiative:
“German companies badly need labour,” she explained, attributing this demand to the demographic structures of both nations.
The agreement goes beyond mere job placement. As PS Njogu elucidated:
“We have also done work in the agreement on issues like recognition of Kenyan skills, Kenyan accreditation, Kenyan certificates and more.”
She further detailed innovative educational partnerships:
“We have done work on attempting to time different sorts of TVET institutions, where we say there’s this TVET somewhere in Kirinyaga and an institution in Bremen. How can we make these two work together so that there is co-learning, co-teaching, and exchange programmes.”
Mutual Benefits and Skill Development
PS Njogu emphasized the reciprocal advantages of this agreement:
“The two countries will transfer skills and technology through the opportunities,” she stated. Additionally, she highlighted that Kenyan workers stand to gain “a good job, good wage or salary and new experiences.”
The Importance of Language Skills
While the agreement opens doors, PS Njogu advised that proficiency in German would significantly enhance job prospects:
“Under the Kenya-German agreement, it will be advantageous for one to learn the German language to be in a better position to grab the opportunity.”
Unlike previous quota-based agreements, this new partnership focuses on aligning Kenyan talent with German labor market needs. PS Njogu articulated the broader vision:
“The implementation phase of the agreement is set to begin as Kenya eagerly anticipates that this new framework will foster stronger people-to-people connections between Kenya and Germany, enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation.”
She further emphasized Kenya’s workforce potential:
“Kenya boasts a large, well-trained, and enterprising workforce that can be a significant contributor to the global labour market.”
Scope of Collaboration
The agreement comes a few days after the German Interior Ministry denied having offered Kenya 250,000 jobs.
The agreement extends beyond job placement, encompassing:
– Labor mobility
– Apprenticeship programs
– Student training initiatives
– Analysis of labor market needs
– Employment and worker welfare considerations
– Protocols for readmission and return
