Youth Affairs PS, Charles Sunkuli has commissioned the Chandaria Youth Empowerment Program (CYEP), an initiative by Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM), a member of the Safal Group. The CYEP is an intervention geared towards providing sustainable alternative and innovative strategies to facilitate youth engagement in ICT and Entrepreneurship.
SAFAL Group is guided by four key focus social investment pillars that include: Environment, Shelter, Health and Education. The event falls under the Education pillar which is a key part of a society’s growth and progress.
(TOP: From left – Manish Mehra, CEO, MRM; Sarit Shah, Chairman, MRM; and George Mbogo, Director of Youth Development, Entrepreneurship & Skills Development, at the Ministry ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs tour the caravan that will be used as the centre for training for the participants who join the Chandaria Youth Empowerment Program).
The program is set to equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge for job creation. This includes skills in ICT for the purposes of doing business and livelihood sustenance.
In partnership with the State Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs, the program seeks to accomplish youth economic empowerment. Further, the program seeks to directly impact over 1 million youth in Kenya by 2030 and is in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of decent work and economic growth.
Speaking at the commissioning event, PS Sunkuli thanked MRM for their commitment and contribution towards supporting youth empowerment in Kenya by creating such a platform and initiative that offers the youth an alternative means to earn a living.
He acknowledged that the current unemployment rate and economic crisis in the country is indisputable and urged the youth to enroll in programs like these that will see them learn new set of skills that they can use for their own benefit now and in the near future. He further mentioned that this initiative will enable the youth be self-reliant and to a greater extent, grant them access to government opportunities and scholarships.
“At a time when the country has hit a record high with the annual inflation rate accelerating to 7.1% in May, unemployment remains a key issue and concern in our country, leaving the youth of this generation adversely affected and in a complete state of desolation. As a key stakeholder in the industry, we have taken up this initiative and created a means to which we believe will be beneficial and empowering for our future generation, making them self-employable,” said Manish Mehra, CEO of MRM.
“Education is one of our key focus areas in corporate social investment and this initiative in partnership with the Ministry could not have come at a better time. We would like to encourage the youth from all walks of lives to enroll in the program and equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge for job creation and to improve their livelihoods.
This initiative seeks to build Public and Private partnerships with relevant institutions, corporations, and organizations. The program is founded on the key pillars of economic empowerment, driven by relevant skills development, strong business innovation, and entrepreneurial skills that will enable the youth to realize their full potential,’’ he added.
The CYEP comprises of two main programs: Training and Mentorship opportunities for local start-ups. The first training took place at MRM Athi River in November 2018 and since its inception, the program has successfully trained 1,400 youth in four counties, namely Meru, Machakos, Nairobi, and Kwale.
In an effort to reach more youth, the program will now offer virtual learning. The program will collaborate with the State Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs through their Empowerment Centers located across the country to offer the program.
Further, the program will also set up base at MRM’s Service Centers located across the country. This will offer various youth across the country, access to the program. By upgrading, the program to virtual and its mobility, more youth will have access to ICT and Entrepreneurship skills. This in turn will help secure a better future for themselves and their families.
MRM is a member of Safal Group of Companies and Africa’s pioneer manufacturer of coated steel using some of the most advanced corrosion protection technologies available worldwide. In Kenya, MRM manufacturers building solutions and takes pride in offering top-of the range industry leading building solutions. Their range of products cater for the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
With a great legacy and a history spanning 60 years, MRM remains the leading Building Solutions innovator in its field. MRM’s continued focus on the customer, provision of total building solutions and development of innovative products has resulted in market leadership in Kenya.
MRM’s roofing brands like DUMUZAS, RESINCOT, VERSATILE, LIFESTILE, COVERMAX, ULTRA-SPAN and SAFLOCK700 are household names that are known and trusted by millions of consumers.
MRM’s focus on CSR is on four key pillars; shelter, health, environment and education. In partnership with the Safal-MRM Foundation, MRM supports two initiatives in Mariakani, the Mabati Medical Centre, treating about 40,000 patients a year and the Mabati Technical Training Institute, training at least 1,000 students a year.
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