The report is prepared by
Vincent Mahugu
Executive Summary.
The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Initiative, in partnership with Mathare Social Justice Centre, has been training teenage girls and mothers for one month since June 2025. This program is aimed at equipping vulnerable youth with vocational skills in both conventional and virtual reality (VR) welding and other digital skills. Delivered through one-on-one training, the initiative has engaged learners in a personalized learning environment, with students reporting positive progress and tutors noting strong commitment. Students appreciate the variety of training methods (virtual reality and hands-on), tutor rotation, and the commitment and strong administrative support from MSJC, which has so far ensured the smooth implementation of the program. However, challenges include limited workshop access, equipment transport difficulties, lack of workshop gear, low-tech savviness , inconsistent attendance, and poor time management.
Introduction.
The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Initiative, a social enterprise founded in 2014, seeks to address youth unemployment in Mathare by providing market-driven skills training, certification, and employment linkages. Operating for one month in Mathare as of June 2025, the program employs one-on-one training to deliver skills in welding, digital skills, and renewable energy, leveraging innovative tools like virtual reality (VR). This report evaluates the initiative’s impact on learners, focusing on student and tutor perspectives. Data is drawn exclusively from feedback from beneficiaries of the program, cross-verified for accuracy, to ensure a precise assessment of the program’s one-month implementation.
Methodology.
This report is based on qualitative feedback from Mathare learners and tutors, reflecting the program’s one-month duration as of June 2025. The analysis prioritizes student and tutor experiences, focusing on the one-on-one training format, and excludes external examples or data not provided. Feedback was collected through direct interactions, ensuring alignment with the learners’ emphasis on lived experiences. Limitations include the lack of quantitative data on participant numbers specific to Mathare, which restricts the scope to qualitative insights.
Impact on Learners.
Student Perspectives.
Over its one-month implementation, the Toolkit Initiative has positively impacted Mathare learners through one-on-one training in welding and digital skills. Key student feedback includes;
- Training Preferences: Learners value the personalized one-on-one training, which allows tailored instruction in VR-based and hands-on methods. Some prefer VR for its engaging approach, while others favour hands-on tasks for their practical application, reporting overall progress as “so far so good.”
- Tutor Rotation: Students appreciate the regular rotation of tutors, noting that it provides diverse perspectives and enhances their learning experience through varied instructional approaches.
- Program Appreciation: Learners express gratitude to MSJC for organizing the initiative, which has provided rare access to vocational training. They hope the program continues to benefit future cohorts.
- Challenges: Students face several barriers. The workshop’s distance from classrooms requires frequent transport of heavy equipment, reducing training time. Many learners, not being tech-savvy, struggle with VR technology but note gradual improvement. Additionally, the lack of workshop gear (e.g., protective clothing or tools) hinders safety and efficiency.
Tutor Perspectives.
Tutors provide critical insights into the program’s implementation, highlighting the effectiveness of one-on-one training while identifying areas for improvement:
- Student Commitment: Tutors commend learners for their strong commitment, noting that the one-on-one format fosters engagement and allows personalized skill development, aligning with the program’s goal of preparing youth for industry roles.
- Attendance and Time Management: Tutors report inconsistent class attendance, likely due to logistical challenges or competing responsibilities in Mathare. They also identify poor time management as a significant concern, warning that it could undermine graduates’ employability in regards to this inefficiency.
- Program Effectiveness; Aside from attendance and time management issues, tutors state that the program is “sailing on smoothly,” with one-on-one VR and hands-on training effectively building skills. However, they likely share students’ challenges with workshop access and equipment transport, which impact training delivery.
Discussion.
The Toolkit Initiative’s one-month implementation in Mathare has shown promise in empowering youth through personalized one-on-one training. Students’ appreciation for VR and hands-on methods, tutor rotation, and MSJC’s facilitation underscores the program’s adaptability and community impact. Tutors’ recognition of student commitment highlights the potential for skill acquisition, but inconsistent attendance and poor time management pose risks to employability. Logistical challenges, including workshop access and lack of gear, further limit efficiency, while low tech-savviness requires tailored support. Comparisons with other Kenyan vocational programs suggest that low-tech training options could complement VR to enhance accessibility. Addressing these barriers will align the initiative with Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals for technical skills development.
Conclusion.
The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Initiative has made a promising start in Mathare, leveraging one-on-one training to empower learners with vocational skills over its one-month duration. Students’ enthusiasm for diverse training methods and tutor rotation, coupled with gratitude toward MSJC, highlights the program’s value. Tutors’ praise for student commitment is tempered by concerns over attendance and time management, alongside logistical and resource challenges. Targeted interventions can enhance the initiative’s impact, equipping Mathare’s youth with skills for sustainable livelihoods and contributing to Kenya’s socio-economic development.
Photos
Training and practicals in session
