Overview

This webinar will explore the transformative role of career guidance in driving youth employability in rural Kenya. Drawing on practical strategies and lessons from piloted Rural Employment Services in Garissa and Turkana Counties, participants will gain insights into effective approaches for supporting youth in navigating education-to-employment pathways. The session will also inspire stakeholders to leverage career guidance as a tool for enhancing youth employment outcomes and scaling impactful interventions.

Objectives

Showcase how career guidance can drive youth employability in rural Kenya.
Share practical strategies and lessons from Piloted Rural Employment Services in Garissa and Turkana Counties in Kenya.
Inspire stakeholders to leverage effective career guidance for enhancing youth employment outcomes.

Target Audience

Career Guidance Practitioners

Public Employment Officers

Youth Program Managers

Educators & TVET Trainers

NGOs & Development Partners

Researchers & Youth Leaders

Part of the Global Careers Month 2025 Initiative

The Inter-Agency Career Guidance Working Group — comprising Cedefop, the European Commission, European Training Foundation (ETF), ILO, OECD, UNESCO, and the World Bank — is leading the second Global Careers Month this November 2025.

Throughout the month, these international agencies, in partnership with the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG) and regional career development associations, are hosting global, regional, and national events promoting lifelong career development for youth and adults.

In Kenya, this initiative is proudly championed by the East African Career Development Association (EACDA) and the The Career Development Association of Kenya (CDAK) — bringing you this webinar, “Career Guidance as a Catalyst for Youth Employability.”

Explore All Global Careers Month Activities

Meet the Speakers

Mercy Maina

Director – Learning, Training & Research, College of Career Guidance & Development

Dr. Mercy Maina is an educational researcher and career development expert with over 25 years of experience in career guidance, youth employability, and education policy across Eastern Africa. She has contributed to national and regional frameworks with UNESCO, ILO, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. As Head of Standards and Guidelines at the Career Development Association of Kenya (CDAK) and East African Career Development Association (EACDA), she leads efforts to professionalize career services through policy harmonization, ethical standards, and practitioner certification.

Margaret Waithaka

Chair, CDAK and President, EACDA | Career Guidance Institute

Margaret Waithaka is the President of the East African Career Development Association (EACDA) and Board Chair of the Career Development Association of Kenya (CDAK). With over a decade of experience, she leads the Career Guidance Institute as Projects Coordinator and is a Director at the College of Career Guidance and Development (CCGD). Margaret has shaped national and regional career guidance frameworks in collaboration with UNESCO, ILO, and key government ministries. A dynamic trainer, speaker, and consultant, she is driving the professionalization of career services across Kenya and Africa.