Kenyans to train in German language to expand job market

The German government has partnered with two local universities to train teachers in the German language who will in turn teach the language in select schools across the country.

Speaking during the celebrations to mark 60 years of German and Kenyan cooperation at the Malindi Museum, German ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth, said that the venture will prepare Kenyans for the German job market.

He said that already several nurses were undertaking German language since the European country is set to import labour from Kenya.

“What we see about the discussion of this labour migration agreement and mobility is a very strong interest among the Kenyan youth to learn German,” he said. 

He added, “We are partnering with Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi so that they can train more German teachers. These teachers can go to TVET institutions all over the country to train young people on say, automotive engineering and a little bit of the German language, which can facilitate youth’s way to Germany.”  

In Kilifi County, he said that two middle-level colleges had been identified where the German language would be taught.

Groth who was accompanied by Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi and the Director of Antiquities, Sites and Monuments at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) Dr Fredrick Manthi said that already 60 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in the country had been roped in the plan. 

“The fields of cooperation that we signed with the Kenyan government two years ago include climate and energy, agriculture, education and youth employment. And on that regard, we are supporting 60 TVET institutions,” he said.

Ms Mnyazi said the partnership between Kenya and Germany will continue to thrive and urged residents to position themselves for job opportunities in Germany.

“After President Ruto signed a labour agreement with Germany, we will follow it up so that our people can also get the opportunity to work in Germany or German companies. We have people in the blue economy and that is where we are going to major in,” said Ms Mnyazi. 

Dr Manthi on his part thanked Germany for the cooperation saying that many NMK staff had gained education and knowledge of conservation in Germany.

“A lot of us at the NMK have gone to school in Germany. We have wonderful projects and programmes that we run with our partner in Germany. We celebrate the cooperation today,” said Dr Manthi.