By Ian Kiiru

On June 9, the Placement and Career Services (PACS) Department hosted an Employer Breakfast meeting bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders from academia, industry, and the alumni network. Held at Radisson Blu Hotel under the theme “The Future of Work through Innovation and Micro-Credentials,” this year’s event created a dynamic space for thoughtful dialogue around the changing nature of work and the critical role of collaboration in preparing graduates to meet labor market demands.

Dr. Victor Boiyo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Life, opened the event by reaffirming the university’s commitment to enhancing partnerships with the labor market. He emphasized that ensuring students are well equipped to make meaningful contributions in the workplace requires more than academic preparation; it calls for intentional engagement between the university and employers to bridge the gap between education and employability. He highlighted that the university is not only listening to industry but actively co-creating pathways with it.

Reinforcing this sentiments, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, Vice Chancellor, stated that great people come from specific places and USIU-Africa is one of those places. He further challenged participants to recognize the urgency of change. “If the world is changing, then we must change with it,” he stated. Prof. Mwenda urged all players including educators, employers, and alumni to embrace adaptive, reflective, and innovative thinking in the face of global change.

Ms. Lilian Ngala, Director of Human Resources at Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), further grounded the conversation in practical urgency during her keynote address. Speaking on the changing landscape of talent development, Ms. Ngala stressed that there is a war on talent and that organizations hoping to win in the marketplace must begin by winning in the workplace. Her reflections focused on the need for joint solutions that prioritize reskilling, foster environments of growth, and allow employees to take ownership of their identities within the workspace. She emphasized the importance of creating learning ecosystems that empower rather than constrain.

The meeting also featured panel discussions, each offering rich insights into the evolving nature of education and employment. The first panel, led by Robi Koki, Chair, Department of Media and Communication in the School of Communication, Cinematic and Creative Arts, discussed issues to do with micro-credentials and employability. Highlighting the growing relevance of short, focused skills training in shaping a “skills-first” future, the panelists noted that micro-credentials play a vital role in enabling both students and employees to stay relevant in increasingly fast-paced and tech-driven work environments. They not only discussed long-term talent engagement strategies but also collectively agreed that academic institutions and employers must rethink traditional models and instead forge collaborative learning pathways so as to building future-ready graduates. They suggested that these key players should promote internal training structures, adopt alternative recruitment methods and cultivate empathetic cultures at workplaces that allow for holistic growth of employees.

Moderating the second panel discussion, Dr. Kepha Njenga guided the panelists in exploring the construction of agile and inclusive talent pipelines through innovation and strategic partnerships. The discussion centered around the everchanging employability space caused by the rise of the gig economy, AI integration, and evolving job descriptions. The panelists also explored the need to equip students and employees with both technical and people skills. Sharing a key insight, Sachen Gudka, Chairman Chrome Partners, stated that artificial intelligence should not be viewed as a threat; but as an enabler that boosts human capability. The conversation also featured inclusivity with the panelists urging stakeholders to be intentional and tailor programs that empower disabled individuals. The discussions further explored the value of nurturing talent from the high school level and fostering stronger connections between schools, universities, and employers which will ensure that talent is nurtured from an early stage.

The spirit of collaboration stood out during the whole event with attendees advocating for intentional partnerships between academia and industry through co-creation of training programs and innovation labs. The key highlight of the day was the shared commitment to pilot and eventually launch industry-in-the-classroom programs, provide job shadowing opportunities specifically for persons with disabilities, and to nurture self-driven, purpose-led, and globally competent graduates.

This was meeting served as a reminder that preparing and equipping tomorrow’s workforce needs partnership, innovation and shared responsibility.