MKU enlightens graduates on career opportunities in Germany, Austria

Mount Kenya University (MKU) last week held a career fair on Opportunities in Germany and Austria during which students, graduates and their parents got information on how to tap career opportunities in Germany and Austria.

They also got a chance to network with the Kenyan community based in Germany. 

The career fair was held at the University’s Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre at its Thika Campus.

Prof Simon Gicharu, chairman and founder of MKU noted that these opportunities are a blessing as they expand the number of jobs available to Kenyan graduates.

“Kenyan Institutions of Higher learning are churning out over 100,000 graduates per year. The reality is that all these graduates are not directly absorbed into the job market,” he told participants attending the career fair.

“On the other hand, the German labour market is increasingly characterized by a widespread scarcity of qualified labour.  The nursing profession is one of the sectors most heavily affected by labour shortages. Different studies predict a shortfall of up to 500,000 nurses in Germany by the year 2030.”

“Recruiting competent Professionals from abroad is one option to address this shortage and increase the labour force in Germany. The scenario in Austria is also similar. In 2030, foreign workers working in the Austrian labour market will be equivalent to a quarter of the total workforce.”

MKU partnered with German and Austrian institutions to enable Kenya and the rest of East Africa professionals to access these opportunities in the two European countries.

The University recently signed an agreement with Lebenshilfe Tirol of Austria that will enable nursing graduates from Mount Kenya University to work in the European country.

The institution has also entered into a similar partnership with Hochschule Koblenz University of Germany, offering paid apprenticeships and jobs to young Kenyans pursuing healthcare courses in the country.

Gicharu noted that the programmes prepare qualified Kenyan graduates with the necessary cultural and technical skills to work in European countries.

Students or graduates interested in these opportunities in Germany and Austria are required to undergo training in the German language to B2 level, which is currently provided at Mount Kenya University.

The nursing professionals going to Austria will initially be recruited to assist people with disabilities in their independent living environments but later will be considered to work in hospitals and other institutions. 

The students going to Germany will receive further training and guidance on integrating into their new environment before starting on their paid apprenticeships and jobs with young Kenyans pursuing healthcare courses in the country.

“We have a cohort of candidates who, having successfully undertaken a German Course will be going to Germany to support the labour market this September. Expanding the job horizon for our clients aligns very well with our motto of unlocking infinite possibilities,” he said