A groundbreaking study presented in Nairobi has revealed that young women who participated in targeted STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) programs in Kenya are 26% more likely to be employed and earn 22% higher monthly wages than their non-participating counterparts. The findings, presented at a policy briefing attended by researchers, policymakers, and development partners, underscore the potential of such training to address gender disparities in technical employment. The research, titled Scaling STEM Training Can Improve Young Women’s Employment in Kenya, was co-authored by Dr. Phyllis Mumia Machio and Dr. Bernadette Wanjala of Humber Polytechnic’s International Development Institute, in collaboration with the CAP Youth Empowerment Institute (CAP YEI).
The study analyzed data from the STEM Education for Empowerment Project (STEEP), a four-year initiative supporting out-of-school adolescent girls from vulnerable backgrounds. Of the 63% of STEEP participants who secured employment, 48% of non-selected applicants and 52% of non-applicants remained employed, according to the research. Econometric analysis further estimated that STEEP participation increased employment likelihood by 26% compared to one group and 18% compared to another, with earnings rising by 22%. Dr. Machio emphasized the program’s role in challenging societal norms, noting that participants “defied expectations by pursuing roles traditionally dominated by men, such as electricians and plumbers.”
STEEP, implemented across six counties—Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Nyeri, Siaya, and Homa Bay—offered market-relevant technical training in fields like food and beverage production, electrical installation, plumbing, and solar PV systems. The program combined technical skills, life skills, mentorship, and work-based learning, with three cohorts trained between February 2024 and June 2025. One participant shared, “I’m happy because I’m a girl and I’m doing plumbing. Some people say that girls cannot be plumbers. This gives me added joy.”
Despite the program’s success, the study identified persistent barriers. Participants cited the short training duration, lack of formal certification, and high NITA examination fees as obstacles. Some graduates struggled to secure formal employment due to certification gaps, while others faced discrimination and harassment in male-dominated workplaces. Dennis Muchiri of CAP YEI, the program’s implementing partner, stressed that “skilling alone is not the end goal” and called for systemic changes to address these challenges. Internships emerged as a critical bridge to employment, with practical experience boosting participants’ confidence and, in some cases, leading directly to jobs.
The research highlights Kenya’s broader gender gap in STEM education, where women account for only 38% of TVET enrollments. To address this, the study recommends expanding STEEP to marginalized counties, integrating life-skills training and female mentorship into TVET curricula, and strengthening public-private partnerships through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) to link internships with employment. It also urges improved workplace safeguards for women entering STEM careers. The study was funded by the Government of Canada via Global Affairs Canada and the Barrett Family Foundation, with additional support from the Partnership for Economic Policy (PEP).
The policy briefing, hosted by the researchers, provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss how STEEP’s evidence could shape future initiatives. Attendees included government officials, training institutions, employers, and development partners, who emphasized the need for systemic reforms to ensure equitable access to technical education and employment opportunities for women. The findings align with global efforts to close gender gaps in STEM fields, offering a blueprint for scalable interventions in Kenya and beyond.
The study’s authors and partners called for urgent action to translate research into policy, urging policymakers to prioritize programs that combine technical training with life skills, mentorship, and workplace support. As Kenya grapples with high youth unemployment and gender inequality, the STEEP model presents a promising pathway to empower women through education and economic inclusion.