Kenyan woman entrepreneur breaking gender barriers in a manufacturing production floor through training

Although some African countries recorded high economic growth rates in recent years, there are millions of people who do not benefit from economic development. In fact, according to a recent issues of ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook reports, unemployment rate for Africa is estimated to be 8.0% in 2017.[1] The rate is elevated for women than for men, especially in North Africa (20.0%).[2] Youth are worse off (youth unemployment rate in North Africa was 29.3% and 10.9% in Sub-Saharan Africa). Even for those employed, 56.9% of workers live in poverty in Africa.[3]

Aren’t there remedies for chronic deficits in productive employment? Do African citizens, especially women and youth, continue to remain left behind? A story of women entrepreneur in Kenya is quite telling in this regard.

Ms Mary Wanjugu Ngechu started her business in 2006. She has quickly expanded her packaging factory with financial and business support of the Kenya Industrial Estates, a body that facilitates development and incubation of micro, small and medium enterprises. She opened another packaging plant in 2013. Today she employs 183 Kenyan women and men and hires an additional 80 workers in busy times. Her plants provide printing and packaging solutions to fast growing industries in Kenya and East Africa.

Two aspects of her business worth highlighting. Her companies train young people without employable skills and employ them. They uphold gender equality at the workplace and bring women in male-dominated manufacturing.

Each year her business takes 22 apprentices. Skilled workers of her factories train modestly educated youth for two years in a structured learning programme. After successful completion of training, she hires all of them as skilled machine operators. Her plants also accept trainees from training institutions. Ms Ngechu says “I’m committed to train young people and tackle skills shortages in the labour market. This is my contribution to community”. The training programmes of the companies are being formalized. Trainees will receive nationally recognized skills certificate.

One of the root causes of Africa’s employment deficit is skills mismatch, says Mr. Jealous Chirove, ILO’s Employment Specialist for East Africa. According to him, education and training systems in the continent often do not respond to changing skill needs of emerging sectors.

“… While Africa has vast economic growth potential, it remains largely untapped because of deficit in skilled workers who can adapt advanced technologies and support business expansion, failing to generate productive employment for all…”. He added.

Mr. Kazutoshi Chatani, ILO Skills Development Officer, based in Geneva, stresses the importance of industry-education collaboration.

“… If enterprises and training institutions join forces, we can align skills development programmes with industry needs in a cost-effective manner…”.

The ILO demonstrates the impact of partnership approaches to skills mismatch. In Tanzania, the ILO pilots apprenticeship programmes in the hotel industry, bringing hotels and tourism colleges to work together and train youth for jobs. Tanzania has just launched the National Apprenticeship Guidelines, which has been developed with the support of the ILO.

Ms Mary Wanjugu Ngechu has challenged gender occupational segregation by bringing women to work in manufacturing production floor which is often dominated by male workers. When she first talked about her idea of a good gender balance in production lines, her human resources manager thought that she was joking. No, she has been determined to break down the gender stereotypes. She has created a company culture that values treating people without discrimination. She also mentor young women entrepreneurs.

The ILO, UN Women and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) all agree that “she is a beacon of light for many African women whose aspirations are shuttered by the glass ceiling”. She plays a role model for Africa.

Ms Beatrice Achieng, a single mother of two children, recalls the day she walked in the packaging company as casual worker about ten years ago.

“… I found no jobs after I dropped out of a high school. This company gave me training and then offered me a stable job…”.

Ms Ngechu actually spotted Beatrice’s leadership skills and gradually assigned her important tasks. Beatrice now manages a group of casual workers and assists machine operators.

“… Though I am a woman, people in this company treated me with respect. That’s why I could stay here. Without this job I wouldn’t be able to feed my kids…”, says Beatrice.

Ms Alice Mwaisaka, an ILO Official based in Nairobi, asserts that,

“… we need more entrepreneurs like her in Kenya… Imagine, if more people start businesses and train young people without college diploma and employ them…training and paid jobs indirectly support workers’ family members, helping hundreds of thousands Kenyans live out of poverty…”

Commenting on the above initiatives, Ms Mary Kawar, Director for the ILO Office for United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, says that,

“… providing opportunities for skills development is a fundamental matter of social justice, and it is crucial for economic growth and shared prosperity…We need models that work in the region like this one that feeds a virtuous circle of entrepreneurship, training and employment generation…”.

Participants group photo after the study tour

[1] ILO (2017) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2017. Geneva.

[2] ILO (2017) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends for women 2017. Geneva.

[3] ILO (2017) World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2017. Geneva.