Survey Unveils Job Opportunities for KCSE Certificate Holders
Survey Unveils Job Opportunities for KCSE Certificate Holders. In November 2023, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) conducted a survey shedding light on recruiters’ preferences, revealing a notable inclination toward candidates with a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certification. The Skills Needs Survey Report 2023 delves into specific sectors like public safety, corrections, and security, emphasizing a growing demand for KCSE certificate holders, particularly in arts and recreation services.
Despite earning the lowest average salary in the country, secondary school graduates form a substantial part of the labor force. For instance, the security sector, boasting over 1,800 establishments nationwide, employs a staggering 700,000 officers, surpassing the combined numbers of certified primary and secondary school educators. However, it’s worth noting that despite a government-mandated minimum monthly salary for security officers, many earn less than Ksh15,000.
FKE’s report underscores the employment opportunities for individuals with certificates or diplomas, notably in transportation, distribution, logistics, hospitality, tourism, social service, and community development. The demand for workers with an undergraduate degree or less is particularly high in information technology, finance, business management, and legal professions.
The survey draws attention to the critical role of competence in information technology, finance, business management, engineering, transportation, distribution, logistics, and legal fields for enterprises. Master’s degree holders find opportunities in the legal sector, while those with doctorates are predominantly sought after as lecturers.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ (KNBS) 2019 census, only 3.5 percent of the population holds tertiary education. Meanwhile, 24.5 percent have completed primary school, with a similar proportion advancing to secondary school. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of Kenya’s job market dynamics and the evolving preferences across different sectors.