Utidia’s Post

Youth Underemployment! Last year, our Founder and President, Dr. Pst. Faith N., was in Nairobi, Kenya for an international conference where he was joined by our VP, Ms. Gathoni Kungu. The conversation was dominated by a pressing issue: youth underemployment. It wasn't just about unemployment, but about young people trapped in jobs that don't utilize their skills, stifled potential, and a slow drain on Africa's future. That meeting has given birth to the creation of the Utidia Apprenticeship Institute (UAI), an educational arm of Utidia (a subsidiary of Youthup Global), where we are now leveraging Project-based Apprenticeship training to address this issue of not just unemployment but underemployment. At YouthUp Global, we've seen firsthand the incredible potential of young Africans. But we've also witnessed the devastating impact of this silent crisis. It's a slow burn, not as dramatic as unemployment headlines, but equally damaging. Imagine a young graduate, brimming with energy and fresh ideas, stuck in a job that doesn't challenge them. They're earning a living, but their skills are stagnating, their dreams are fading, and their potential is being stifled. This isn't just an individual story; it's a collective story of lost talent, lost opportunity, and a lost generation. We've seen it in the eyes of young entrepreneurs who struggle to access the funding and support they need to turn their dreams into reality. We've seen it in the classrooms where brilliant minds are taught outdated curricula that fail to prepare them for the realities of the modern workplace. And we've seen it in the communities where young people lack the opportunities to develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive. We can't afford to ignore this silent crisis. As we continue to address the problem of youth unemployment, we must also ensure we are facing underemployment head-on. Our team at YouthUp Global is available to co-create initiatives and programs to truly empower young Africans towards addressing this Underemployment challenge. We are also actively seeking partnerships to scale our impact through the Utidia cum Utidia Apprenticeship Institute (UAI). Reach us at projects@youthupglobal.com if you're interested in collaborating! We need to invest in quality education and skills development, promote entrepreneurship, encourage apprenticeship programs, and advocate for policies that promote decent work. Only then can we unleash the power of Africa's youth and build a brighter future for everyone. Together we make a difference! #youthunderemployment #AfricaDevelopment #HumanCapital #skillsgap #entrepreneurship #decentwork #UtidiaApprenticeshipInstitute #YouthUpGlobal #Apprenticeship