Due to unemployment and job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more young people are opting for online work.
Despite this, online content developer Jeffrey Kimenga says the future of online work remains bright.
Kimegh said the pandemic has also affected the online space, causing a decline in daily work, but reiterated that there are still many untapped opportunities.
“There are countless jobs available that interested job seekers can take up to earn a living,” Kimenga told The Star in an interview.
According to Ajira Digital, a government platform that helps young people access digital jobs, there are at least 21,699 current job postings direct from employer websites. The online jobs are both local and international.
The majority of online work in the Western world is carried out by people living in developing countries, mainly in Asia and Africa.
“Artificial intelligence, transcription and translation jobs are easy to do. Report and academic paper writing is well paid but requires a lot of research,” Kimenga said.
First, you need a good computer, an internet connection, and a good smartphone, he says. You have to be patient and grow your online work career with purpose and direction.
To protect yourself from scammers and fraudsters, you need to use trustworthy websites.
“People lose money in the false hope of getting rich quick through scams. There are a lot of malicious websites on the internet and people should be careful of sites that ask for more information than is required,” he said.
Verified sites for online work include Upwork, freelancer, Guru, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, etc. “Don’t be fooled, trusted online work platforms are free to join.”
At least 40,000 Kenyans are registered with Upwork, a major freelance platform, and a 2014 survey by Upwork ranked Kenya top in Africa and 10th globally in the list of countries offering workers on the site.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 38.9 percent of eligible youth in Kenya are unemployed. The data comes from the 2019 census.
Most of the young people are looking for opportunities online.
The government has set up ICT hubs and support centres across the country to raise awareness and assistance on online working.
Michael Kazungu, librarian at Voi Community Library in Taita Taveta County, where the ICT hub and Ajira Digital Centre were recently opened, said young people were being introduced to the online space.
He said the program aims to introduce young people to online work and provide them with the tools, training and mentorship they need for the jobs.
Kazungu said access to digital work would create wealth and lead to the growth of the middle class across the country.
“Deepen your skills by taking online courses. Earn recognised certifications to strengthen your online work history and demonstrate your capabilities to potential clients,” he said.
Charles Kapukiai, Project Coordinator for Taita Taveta at the Africa Digital Schools Initiative (ADSI), recognises the importance of introducing young people, especially students, to the digital world.
He said the digitalisation of educational institutions would not only facilitate learning but also create job opportunities for learners after they leave school.
“Having the ability to incorporate a range of ICT tools into lessons will enrich students’ learning,” he said.
Last year, at least 20 secondary schools were awarded e-Mature status for digitizing learning.
Kapukiai said most schools now have ICT infrastructure such as laptops, projectors, Wi-Fi, websites and digital libraries.
Edited by: Kyle Damaris
