Swisscontact Kenya Country Director Sharon Mosin speaks during the PropelA Business Impact and Investment Insights Breakfast in Nairobi on July 21, 2026.
NAIROBI, July 21, 2026 — A new study has found that industry-led apprenticeship programmes are delivering measurable returns for businesses while equipping young people with market-ready skills, strengthening the case for scaling workplace-based training to tackle Kenya’s youth unemployment and skills mismatch.
The findings show companies participating in the PropelA Dual Apprenticeship Programme achieve an average 30 per cent Return on Training Investment (ROTI), recover their investment within three years, and generate about Sh2 million in net value per company.
Speaking during the PropelA Business Impact and Investment Insights Breakfast in Nairobi, Swisscontact Kenya Country Director Sharon Mosin said the study demonstrates that investing in skills development is not merely a social responsibility but a sound business decision that improves productivity, competitiveness and long-term economic growth.
“The results clearly show that companies can realise up to a 30 per cent return on their training investment by taking on apprentices. The return starts becoming evident from the third year, making employee retention an important part of the investment,” said Mosin.
She added that companies benefiting from the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) reimbursement mechanism can nearly double their returns, with investment gains approaching 50 per cent, underscoring the importance of continued support for industry-led skills development.
Mosin said the success of the PropelA model depends on strong partnerships between the private sector, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and government. She noted that apprentices spend about 75 per cent of their training in workplaces and 25 per cent in classrooms, enabling them to gain practical skills that align with industry needs.
She observed that the programme has grown significantly over the past four years, expanding from 15 participating companies to more than 70, creating more opportunities for young people to gain workplace experience and transition into employment.
“The private sector must remain at the centre of skills development because businesses understand the competencies they require. Government can support this by creating a conducive business environment, equipping TVET institutions with modern training facilities and strengthening partnerships with industry,” Mosin said.
Also speaking at the event, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Chief Executive Officer Tobias Alando said addressing the country’s skills gap remains the primary objective of the apprenticeship programme, noting that many graduates leave learning institutions without the practical competencies required by employers.
“We have many graduates coming out of universities and technical institutions, but the key question is whether they are ready to fit into today’s workplace. The programme helps bridge that gap by preparing young people to become productive immediately they join industry,” said Alando.
He said while businesses can expect returns from investing in apprenticeship training, the greatest benefit lies in developing a skilled workforce capable of supporting industrial growth.
“Research now shows that companies can begin seeing returns within three to nine years, with average returns ranging between 30 and 40 per cent. Where NITA support is available, the returns can increase to between 50 and 53 per cent, making investment in skills both practical and economically viable,” he added.
According to the study conducted by Orange & Teal on behalf of Swisscontact, nearly 87 per cent of the value generated by the programme comes directly from apprentice productivity, demonstrating the close link between skills development and improved business performance.
Since its launch, PropelA has partnered with more than 70 companies, trained over 400 young people, and achieved an employment rate exceeding 80 per cent, providing evidence that industry-led apprenticeships can help bridge the gap between education and employment while supporting Kenya’s industrialisation agenda.
