Master’s graduates top 3,000 Tuskys internship applicants
Retail chain Tuskys Supermarket has received 3,000 applications for 800 internship positions it had advertised, indicating the tough competition for vacancies in the job market.
The majority of applicants hold master’s and bachelor’s degrees, the retailer said on Tuesday. Other applicants have diploma and certificate qualifications.
The internship programme which targets 1,600 is being undertaken in partnership with KCB Foundation. The bank will recruit another 800 interns who will then be seconded to Tuskys for the training.
SHOP ASSISTANTS
The interns will be deployed across Tuskys’ 54 branches mainly as cashiers, back office operations, fresh department (bakery and deli), and general workers (shop assistants).
“The fact that even holders of master’s degrees are looking for internship is a pointer that we have a huge role to play in filling in the skills gap,” said Tuskys chief executive Dan Githua.
“The programme targets the youth, who have limited opportunities, are in marginalised areas or lack resources to seek out the training and job opportunities offered by the programme,” Tuskys said in a statement.
The internship programme commenced in 2015 as Tuskys looked to address youth unemployment and the need to mould staff to suit the needs of the retail sector. About 700 have been trained since, with most of them absorbed by the supermarket.
EXPAND PROGRAMME
The partnership with KCB is meant to expand the programme and will now see 1,600 interns trained annually for the next five years.
Shortlisting for those who have applied is currently ongoing with interviews set to follow.
“The shortlisted candidates will be expected to undergo interviews because we want to test competency in all aspects including communication and presentation skills,” said Tuskys Human Resources manager Lucy Watari.
The training takes six months with those who qualify expected to start this month.
The partnership between the two companies also targets 13,000 youths in 22 counties for contract farming opportunities in agribusiness.
