Two hundred and fifty young people have graduated from the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Academy Season 6 after completing a three-month skills and youth empowerment programme.
The graduates were trained in plumbing, fashion design, artificial intelligence (AI), computer technology, electrical wiring, caregiving and camera operations.
The graduation ceremony was held at Ruiru Prison Hall, where Beryl Achieng Omondi, Chief Operating Officer at Youth Impact Global, challenged the graduates to see the occasion not as the end of their journey, but as the beginning.
โDo not allow today to become the end of your journey. Just the beginning.โ
Skills for a changing world of work
The graduates are entering a Kenyan labour market where finding decent and sustainable work remains a challenge, particularly for young people.
According to the KNBS Economic Survey 2026, Kenya created about 822,100 new jobs in 2025, but 87.2% of these were in the informal sector. This highlights the importance of both employability and the ability to create one's own opportunities through entrepreneurship and skills-based work.
The World Bank estimates that about 85% of young people in Kenya rely on informal work, while skills mismatches continue to make the transition from education to employment difficult.
For programmes such as IYF Academy, the challenge is therefore not simply to equip young people with certificates, but with skills they can apply in the real world.
Omondi urged the graduates to approach their professions with responsibility and excellence.
โIf you become a welder or a plumber, do everything with posterity in mind,โ she said, encouraging them to consider the people who would depend on the quality of their work.
Beyond the certificate
Omondi also challenged the graduates to look beyond their qualifications and think about who they could become.
โAs you leave this hallowed institution, I implore you to forget your credentials for a minute. Shut your eyes and see what you can become. Forget what you know and reach for what you can learn every day,โ she said.
Her message is particularly relevant in a labour market being reshaped by technology and changing skills demands.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has highlighted the need for Kenya to strengthen the connection between training and labour-market needs, noting skills gaps in several sectors. It has also warned that artificial intelligence will continue to change the nature of work, making digital skills and the ability to adapt increasingly important.
The inclusion of AI and computer technology alongside technical, creative and care-related skills in the IYF Academy reflects this changing landscape.
Three things for the journey ahead
Omondi left the graduates with three principles to guide them beyond the Academy.
Set clear goals. She encouraged them to identify what they want, reflect on experiences they do not want to repeat and determine what they are willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals.
Build the right networks. Certificates may open doors, but relationships can help young people find opportunities, learn from others and navigate the world of work. Omondi encouraged the graduates to surround themselves with honest and supportive people while offering the same support in return.
โBe as good a cheerleader for them as they are for you. Be committed to their success as they commit to yours.โ
Have faith in God and in yourself. Omondi encouraged the graduates to remain courageous, grateful and confident in their ability to pursue their goals.
Bridging the education-to-employment gap
The graduation speaks to Youth Impact Global's broader mission of addressing unemployment by helping young people transition from education and self-discovery into employment or self-employment.
The organisation works to equip young people with soft skills, life skills and green economy readiness, alongside practical skills that can help them navigate the world of work.
Evidence from Kenya shows why this combination matters. A World Bank review of the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project found that more than 145,000 young people participated, with the programme contributing to the creation of 125,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs. The project also supported entrepreneurship and improved earnings among participants.
For the 250 graduates of IYF Academy Season 6, the next step is to put their skills to work.
Whether they pursue employment, start businesses, take on freelance opportunities or continue learning, the hope is that the knowledge gained over the past three months will translate into livelihoods and meaningful contributions to their communities.
As Omondi reminded them, graduation is not the finish line. Rather, it is the beginning.