The launch of the handbook on the establishment of the Offices of Career Services all universities and tertiary institutions must set up the office which should be up and running by the end of the year,” announced Cabinet Secretary for Education, Amb. Amina Mohamed.

The CS presided over the launch of the handbook on the establishment of Offices of Career Services ceremony University of Nairobi’s Taifa Hall on June 21, 2018. The Offices of Career Services (OCS) will empower students to make right career choices by offering academic advising, career and counseling services and graduate tracker services. In addition, OCS will facilitate linkages between the industry and students, intra-institutional exchanges, apprenticeship services and engage recruitment of prospective high school students, among others.

“As a country, we have devoted a lot of resources in education from primary level to high schools to higher education institutions. It can be a great loss for us and bad economics if we do not commit ourselves to realize any returns,” she said. “I call on all of us to be committed to this initiative because it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our students get gainful employment and even engage in entrepreneurship.”

While welcoming the guests to the University of Nairobi, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbithi said that the OCS will have transformative effects in the universities and tertiary institutions.

“We have, for many years, been yearning for support to bridge the skills gap in the job market and lamenting on the need to work closely with the industry to produce market ready graduates,” he said. “The launch of the handbook on careers and mentorship programme is therefore a timely intervention that will go a long way in addressing the problem.”

At the event, two UoN students Bilal Muhamud and Sylivia Mumbi were given an opportunity to speak on behalf of students. They focused on their experience and opportunities in mentorship.