Analysis of Factors Affecting Employability Rate Among Youth in Kenya by Using Generalized Linear Model .

Abstract

In Kenya, youth (age 18-34 years) has been facing employment challenges yet they are in their crucial stage of transitioning from dependence to self-reliance. They are also the majority in the country and are expected to drive social, economic and political developments. To address employment challenges, the government, nongovernment institutions and private sector has come up with interventions aimed at offering financial support, offering entrepreneurial skills and offering jobs to the youth. Despite the efforts, little is known on what matters for the youth in terms of their employment preference and determinants of employment preferences. The objective of this study is to inform decision makers on youth employment preference that can help in recruiting, retention and motivation of youth in the labour market. Specifically, the study aimed at establishing the youth employment preference and explore the factors related to youth employment preferences. A total of 650 youth participated in the study between November 2017 and March 2018, involving 127 unemployed, 343 employed and 180 self-employed youth. The study used a multinomial logit model to examine the determinants of youth employment preference in the private sector, public sector and self-employment in Kenya. The results indicate that, largely, youth prefer employment in public sector than in private sector due to job security and better payment. Youth employment preference in either private, public or self- employment are influenced by education, income, job security, participation in decision making and career growth among others. Employed youth and selfemployed prefer their current employment in private sector and self-employment, respectively, possibly because it was the only alternative available to them and also education level was not a hindrance to employment in the two sectors. Most youth in self-employment were in their first job and had limited work experience, which is a requirement in public and private employment and therefore their preference of self-employment. For employers to provide job security for the youth and improve on their company’s productivity, the government needs to collaborate with the private sector in ensuring that youth acquire skills demanded in the labour market, and link skilled youth to employers, which is likely to lead to employment of skilled youth, high profit, provision of good working conditions including job security. With the current government move in providing tax abatement to the private sector who offer youth internship intended to enhance employability of youth, the government needs to monitor internship programmes to ensure that the private sector does not make internship and industrial attachments an opportunity for engaging cheap labour from youth as interns. Youth involvement during designing, implementing and evaluating programmes aimed at them is important in ensuring that what is provided relevant to the them.