THE ROLE OF DIGITAL SKILLS ON YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY
Keywords:
digital skills, youth employability, Ajira Digital Program, digital ecosystemAbstract
Purpose of the Study: This study examined the role of digital skills in enhancing youth employability in Nairobi City County. It specifically assessed how digital competencies influence employability among Ajira Digital Program participants while considering the broader digital ecosystem. The findings provide evidence to support policies and interventions aimed at improving youth employment through digital skills development.
Methodology: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design using a mixed-methods approach. A sample of 222 respondents was selected from 500 Ajira Digital Program stakeholders through Yamane's formula and cluster sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis in SPSS.
Findings: The study established that digital skills have a significant and positive influence on youth employability in Nairobi City County. Descriptive results showed that respondents possessed strong basic digital competencies, particularly in online job searching, communication, and office software applications. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between digital skills and youth employability (r = .712, p < .01). Regression analysis further confirmed that digital skills significantly predicted employability (β = .617, B = .489, p < .001). Youth with stronger digital competencies demonstrated higher levels of job readiness, competitiveness, adaptability, and confidence in securing employment opportunities than those with lower competencies.
Conclusion: The study concludes that digital skills significantly improve youth employability by enhancing competitiveness, adaptability, and readiness for the digital labor market. Strengthening advanced digital competencies through industry-aligned training, mentorship, internships, and practical learning opportunities will further increase employment prospects and support sustainable youth economic empowerment in Nairobi City County.
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