Digital Platform Links TVET Graduates from Informal Settlements to Employment Opportunities
By Peace Muthoka
Nairobi, September 24,2026 – The Daraja La Mafanikio (DALMA) Project has launched a digital employment platform designed to connect young people from informal settlements with employers, internships and entrepreneurship opportunities as part of efforts to bridge the gap between technical training and sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative combines vocational education, employability training and digital innovation to help vulnerable youth transition from technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions into the labour market.
The project targets young people from informal settlements, particularly Mukuru and Kibera, who often face challenges securing employment or starting income-generating activities after completing their training.
Speaking during the launch, project representatives said many young people acquire technical skills but struggle to find opportunities to apply them. DALMA seeks to address this gap by linking graduates with employers while equipping them with the confidence and practical skills needed to navigate the world of work.
The project supports training in areas including information and communication technology, beauty and hairdressing, catering, dressmaking, electrical work, plumbing and masonry. Participants also receive training in entrepreneurship and employability to prepare them for formal employment and self-employment.
A major component of the initiative is the DALMA web-based employment platform and mobile application, developed through collaboration involving the Technical University of Kenya. The platform allows graduates to create profiles, showcase their qualifications and practical competencies, and make their skills accessible to potential employers.
Employers, on the other hand, can use the platform to search for candidates, filter profiles, shortlist applicants and advertise opportunities, including internships, part-time and full-time positions.
During a technical demonstration, the project team explained that the platform would also provide space for graduates to display their work portfolios and market their products and skills. The system is designed to support users with limited resources and can be accessed through mobile devices.
The platform is available through the web address daraja.org, according to the project team.
Sandeep Sikura, a computer science lecturer involved in the technical development, said the platform was designed to create a practical and scalable link between TVET graduates and industry.
He explained that the system would help institutions and employers understand labour market needs, track graduate placement and improve alignment between training programmes and industry requirements.
The initiative also places emphasis on inclusion, particularly for young mothers and persons with disabilities. According to the project, it will provide employability and entrepreneurship training to 600 TVET trainees, offer professional training scholarships to 210 vulnerable youth and provide daycare support for more than 150 children of participating mothers.
Leonard Ariga Mititi, Deputy Director of Vocational Education and Training in Nairobi City County, welcomed the initiative, saying it could help vocational training graduates connect with employers and access opportunities after completing their studies.
Mititi said Nairobi County operates 12 vocational training centres, including 11 vocational training centres and one homecraft centre, where young people acquire technical skills before entering the labour market.
He expressed interest in partnerships that would enable graduates from the county’s vocational training centres to use the platform and improve their transition into employment.
Beyond employment, DALMA seeks to promote entrepreneurship and economic empowerment by helping young people identify opportunities, develop professional confidence and establish businesses.
The project also provides mentorship, transport support, internships, examination assistance and continued monitoring to address barriers that may prevent vulnerable youth from completing training or accessing work.
Through partnerships between training institutions, technology developers, employers and communities, the initiative aims to strengthen the connection between skills development and economic opportunity, enabling more young people to build secure livelihoods.
