Mount Kenya University has made a big step in its ambitious programme to train and prepare 5,000 Kenyans to fit Germany’s job market. The first cohort of nursing students from Mount Kenya University arrived in Germany safely, ready for the paid apprenticeship programme. Mt Kenya University German apprenticeship programme TUKO.co.ke established that the top Kenyan university had sent the first cohort of five health sciences students to Germany to commence offering healthcare services as part of the programme. . MKU agreed with Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences in Germany to provide German language and preparatory courses to Kenyans as part of preparing them for employment as apprentices in Germany. Prof. Christian Lebrenz of Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences and the joint project leader received the graduates, who will work and study in Germany at Frankfurt International Airport. German jobs for Kenyans The project’s coordinator at MKU, Dr Christopher Mutembei, said the project aligns with the government’s quest to increase opportunities for Kenyans abroad. The partnership between MKU and Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences of Germany offers paid apprenticeships and jobs to young Kenyans. This comes even as President William Ruto announced that the government had signed bilateral labour agreements with at least 19 countries to absorb Kenyan professionals into their workforces. y In 2023, Ruto travelled to Germany and announced that his meetings with the country’s leadership had opened doors for hundreds of thousands of Kenyan job seekers. “The pilot cohort has successfully completed the German language B2 Level of proficiency and completed the preparatory course,” said Mutembei. Beneficiaries of MKU-German University apprenticeship project The first apprentices to benefit from the ambitious programme who have travelled to Germany include Gekonge Mogambi, Aisha Wacuka, Hellen Okwaro, Bonciana Chepkorir, and Teresiah Muthoni. According to Mutembei, students interested in the opportunities must have German language proficiency and pursue a preparatory programme in nursing apprenticeship for German hospitals. MKU said AG-Career Hub will support the first apprentices in smoothly integrating into the German work environment and culture. Kenyan professionals working in Germany Kenyan professionals working in Germany are the founders of the career hub. The university seeks to expand its partnership with German industries, especially engineering, to widen the opportunities for interested Kenyan apprentices. MKU has a similar partnership with Lebenshilfe Tirol of Austria, which also enables nursing graduates from the Kenyan university to work in Austria. The project coordinator told TUKO.co.ke that they expect to send 60 nursing graduates to Austria initially. In this category, graduates must have a B1 level in German. MKU expects 60 nursing graduates to travel to Austria initially. Graduates must have a German language B1 level. The Kenyan university has a similar partnership with Lebenshilfe Tirol of Austria, enabling nursing graduates from the Kenyan university to work in Austria.
by Michael Ollinga Oruko
