World Youth Skills Day: Creating Opportunities Together
On Wednesday, 15th July 2026, Vipingo Ridge joined the global celebration of World Youth Skills Day by hosting an inspiring event at the Shariani Conference Hall that brought together government representatives, educational institutions, development partners, industry leaders, community organisations and young people. Centred on the theme ‘’Skills for a shared future”, the event highlighted how strong partnerships can bridge the gap between education and employment while creating lasting opportunities for young people.
Aligned with the United Nations' recognition of World Youth Skills Day, the celebration reflected Vipingo Ridge's sustainability commitment of Creating Opportunities Together, demonstrating the importance of investing in local talent through internships, industrial attachments, mentorship and strategic partnerships. Among the participants were 35 interns and trainees currently undertaking industrial attachment and internship programmes at Vipingo Ridge, representing departments across the estate and showcasing the organization’s continued investment in experiential learning and professional development.
Bringing Partners Together for Youth Empowerment
The event welcomed representatives from Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, TEWA Training Institute, Marianist Technical Institute, Afritech Training Institute, Mkwajuni Vocational Training Centre, Nesbony College and Kilifi Innovation Hub, alongside students from Vipingo and Shariani Senior Schools.
Community organisations including Swahilipot Hub Foundation, Kilifi Innovation Hub, LETA Franchise, GIZ Kenya, Sanara and Baruu Collective also participated, reflecting the broad collaboration required to create sustainable opportunities for young people.
Opening the event, Vipingo Ridge CEO Alex Horsey reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to investing in education, workplace learning and partnerships that transform academic knowledge into employable skills. He added that the company provides internship and training opportunities for university and vocational students, alongside programs for local artists and performers.
His message was echoed by Administration Manager Chilson Lwangu, Deputy County Commissioner Mohamed Yusuf and Vipingo Senior School representative Augustus Kiema, who encouraged young people to embrace technical education, internships and continuous learning while emphasizing that solving youth unemployment requires collective action from government, educators, employers and communities. Inspiring performances by students from Shariani and Vipingo Secondary Schools further reinforced the day's message of resilience, hope and youth empowerment.
Understanding Opportunity and Building Employability
A highlight of the programme was the interactive Privilege Walk, facilitated by the Conservation Manager at Vipingo Ridge, Kuso Abdulla. Through a thought-provoking exercise illustrating how factors such as family background, disability, financial stability and access to education influence opportunity, participants gained a deeper understanding of the structural barriers that contribute to youth unemployment and inequality. The discussion that followed reinforced that while talent is distributed equally, opportunity is not, underscoring the importance of creating more inclusive pathways to education and employment.
The discussions naturally transitioned into the importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Representatives from TEWA Training Institute highlighted the value of industry partnerships in preparing students for employment, while Vipingo Ridge's Head of Support Services and Human Resources, Esther Mulli, showcased the organization’s commitment to developing young people through internships, industrial attachments where out of 74 recruits trained from the last cohort, 56 are now working at Vipingo Ridge in various departments including hospitality, procurement, marketing and ESG/Sustainability. She also highlighted the Vipingo Ridge Annual 3 weeks long Security Training Programme, which equips local youth with practical workplace skills and prepares them for future employment opportunities.
The impact of these initiatives was brought to life through personal testimonies. Sheila, a Food and Beverage trainee currently attached at Vipingo Ridge, shared how her internship had strengthened her confidence, customer service skills and professional growth.
Long-serving Security Department team member Mr. Mugogo also inspired participants by reflecting on his journey since joining Vipingo Ridge in 2006, encouraging young people to remain committed to learning, perseverance and seizing every opportunity.
A lively Napkin Folding Competition involving trainees from several institutions further demonstrated the creativity, technical competence and professionalism developed through vocational training.
Partnerships Creating Real Opportunities
Speakers from partner organisations demonstrated how collaboration continues to unlock employment opportunities for young people.
Tony Odipo of LETA Franchise shared how the organisation has created opportunities for more than 650 young creatives while acknowledging Vipingo Ridge's continued support for performers and artists, including employment opportunities during major events hosted at the estate.
David Ziro from the Kilifi County Department of Gender, Culture, Social Services, Youth and Sports emphasized that programmes should be designed with young people rather than for them, while Ken Miheso of Swahilipot Hub Foundation highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling youth unemployment, noting the organization’s progress toward creating 30,000 employment opportunities through partnerships with employers and training institutions.
Representing the Kilifi County Department of Education and ICT, Mr. Sifa highlighted the role of TVET institutions in equipping young people with practical skills through courses including plumbing, electrical installation, motor vehicle mechanics, welding, masonry and tailoring. He emphasized that sustainable youth employment depends on continued collaboration between government, employers, development partners and training institutions to connect learning with real workplace opportunities.
A major milestone of the day was the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Vipingo Ridge and Swahilipot Hub Foundation. The partnership formalizes a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young people through skills development, mentorship, entrepreneurship, innovation, employment pathways and collaborative community programmes, further strengthening efforts to empower youth across Kilifi County and beyond.
Empowering Young Creatives Through Experience
Beyond the formal programme, the event itself became a practical demonstration of Vipingo Ridge's sustainability commitment to Creating Opportunities Together. Young photographers, videographers and content creators from the Sanara Project by The Terrace Art Space, working in collaboration with Baruu Collective, were entrusted with documenting the event from start to finish.
Working alongside experienced mentors, they produced professional photographs, videos, and social media content while building their portfolios, strengthening their professional experience, expanding their networks and earning income through their creative skills. Their participation perfectly illustrated that empowering youth is not only about discussing opportunities, but about intentionally creating them.
Looking Ahead
As the event concluded, participants left with renewed optimism and a shared commitment to investing in Kenya's young people.
Through TVET partnerships, internships, practical skills demonstrations, creative industry opportunities, youth mentorship and the newly formalized partnership with Swahilipot Hub Foundation, World Youth Skills Day 2026 demonstrated the power of collaboration in building pathways to meaningful employment and sustainable community development.
The celebration served as a reminder that by investing in young people today through education, practical experience and strong partnerships, we are creating stronger communities, resilient economies and a brighter future for generations to come.
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