By Brian Rajula & Joshua Ochieng | July 9, 2026
Young people in Mombasa are set to benefit from more practical training and improved employment opportunities following the launch of the PropelA Industry-Led Dual Apprenticeship Programme, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace experience.
The programme, launched by Swisscontact during the PropelA Mombasa Industry Networking Breakfast at Hotel Sapphire, seeks to address youth unemployment and the growing demand for skilled workers in Kenya’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
Unlike conventional training, the PropelA model allows apprentices to spend 75 percent of their learning period at the workplace and 25 percent in the classroom, enabling them to acquire hands-on experience while pursuing technical studies.
Speaking during the launch, Jimmy Delyon, Head of Programmes at Swisscontact, said expanding the programme to Mombasa marks another important milestone after its success in Nairobi.
“Launching PropelA in Mombasa is an important step in expanding opportunities for young people. We have seen encouraging results in Nairobi, and we believe this programme will help equip more youth with practical plumbing and technical skills that employers are looking for,” said Delyon.
Swisscontact says the apprenticeship model has already delivered impressive results in Nairobi, where about 80 percent of graduates have secured employment, while companies participating in the programme have reported up to 30 percent return on investment from training apprentices.
The organisation says the expansion comes at a time when Mombasa’s construction, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and infrastructure sectors continue to grow, creating increased demand for skilled technicians.
However, employers have continued to cite shortages of qualified workers, inadequate practical skills among graduates, workplace safety concerns and weak collaboration between industries and training institutions as key challenges affecting productivity.
Under the new apprenticeship programme, companies will play a direct role by hosting apprentices, mentoring them, and helping shape training curricula to ensure graduates acquire skills that match current industry demands.
Swisscontact notes that nearly one million young Kenyans enter the labour market every year, yet many struggle to secure employment because they lack practical experience required by employers.
The organisation believes strengthening partnerships between employers, TVET institutions and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) will help narrow the skills gap while creating more employment opportunities for young people.
The PropelA programme has been implemented in Kenya since 2022, promoting workplace-based learning and strengthening collaboration between industry and training institutions as part of efforts to build a more competitive and job-ready workforce.
