NAIROBI, Kenya | September 25, 2026 — A new digital platform developed to bridge the gap between technical training and employment has been launched, targeting vulnerable youth from informal settlements who often struggle to transition from vocational training into the world of work.
The Daraja La Mafanikio (DALMA) Project combines technical and vocational education, employability training, entrepreneurship development and digital technology to create employment pathways for young people, particularly those from informal settlements.
The initiative has developed a web-based platform and mobile application that will connect trained TVET graduates with potential employers while allowing young people to showcase their qualifications, practical skills and work portfolios.
Speaking during the launch, Leonard Ariga Mititi, Deputy Director of Vocational Education and Training at Nairobi City County, said the project addresses a major challenge facing young people after completing their training.
“The Daraja La Mafanikio project is an innovative initiative designed to improve youth employment by connecting vulnerable TVET graduates from informal settlements with employers through a web-based platform and a mobile application,” Mititi said.
Platform To Connect Graduates And Employers
The platform allows graduates to create profiles highlighting their certified TVET qualifications, practical competencies and portfolios, making them accessible to employers searching for skilled workers.
Employers, on the other hand, can use the platform to post opportunities, search for candidates, filter profiles and shortlist potential employees for internship, part-time and full-time positions.
The platform also incorporates a marketplace where users can market their products and skills, creating an additional avenue for young people pursuing entrepreneurship.
The technical team said the platform has been designed with accessibility in mind, including compatibility with entry-level smartphones and environments where users may have limited resources.
Sandeep Sikura, a Bachelor of Computer Science lecturer involved in the development of the platform, said the objective was to create a digital bridge between TVET graduates and opportunities.
“The goal was to build a robust, intuitive and scalable bridge through digital means for the TVET graduates,” Sikura said.
He said the platform allows graduates to showcase their certified qualifications, practical competencies and work portfolios while giving employers the ability to identify suitable candidates.
“What the platform achieves for the graduates is a space where students can showcase their certified TVET qualifications, practical competences and work portfolios. They are able to update their profiles and are directly accessible by potential employers,” he added.
The platform will also provide data on employment demand, placements and other labour-market trends that can help institutions align training with industry needs.
600 TVET Trainees To Benefit
Mititi said the project will provide employability and entrepreneurship training to 600 TVET trainees, while 210 vulnerable youth will receive professional training scholarships.The programme will pay particular attention to young mothers and persons with disabilities, with daycare support planned for more than 150 children of participating mothers.
“By strengthening links between TVET institutions, employers and graduates, Daraja aims to improve employability and facilitate the transition into employment, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute to the economic empowerment and social mobility of vulnerable youth,” Mititi said.
Nairobi County Eyes Partnership
Mititi said Nairobi City County, which oversees 12 vocational training centres, including 11 vocational training centres and one home-craft centre, could benefit from the platform by linking its trainees to employment opportunities after graduation.
The county provides technical skills training before graduates undertake examinations and enter the labour market.
“After some time, we go for examinations, and after the examinations, we release our graduates to the world of work,” he said.
However, he noted that acquiring technical skills is only part of the journey, with graduates still requiring mechanisms to connect them to employers and opportunities.
“We are training our trainees today on technical skills, but later, when they graduate, the challenge is how they transition into the world of work. That is why I think this is a good initiative.”Mititi said the county would be interested in exploring partnerships around the platform to ensure its trainees can access employment and apprenticeship opportunities.
“We would wish to partner on this initiative so that we can have our trainees linked to the world of work and make this happen.”
TUK Commitment To Skills-To-Work Transition
The Technical University of Kenya, which was involved in developing the digital platform, said the initiative represents a shift towards ensuring technical education translates into tangible opportunities for graduates.
In remarks delivered on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the university said the platform marks a new chapter in linking training institutions, graduates and the labour market.
The university also reaffirmed its commitment to education that goes beyond imparting knowledge by creating pathways to opportunities, dignity and economic prosperity for young people.