Our History
1997: CoWA was founded to meet the needs of St. Kizito students by linking them to the job market through internships and job placements. Initially registered as a company limited by guarantee, CoWA later expanded its services to include entrepreneurship training and job placements for all youth from various training institutions and start-ups. A large number of youth seeking work placement and the network of companies they were matched with formed the CoWA database. Due to collaboration with AVSI, business skills training was extended to AVSI parents, largely women.
Around 2000: CoWA was registered as an NGO and collaborated with the local government and UNDP, opening an office in a one-stop youth center in town. CoWA actively participated in discussions on youth unemployment with the government and other stakeholders and was involved in an HR forum.
Around 2006/7: At the height of its activity, CoWA occupied an entire floor in the Roysambu building and became a hub for youth seeking jobs. Hundreds of youth visited CoWA every week for orientation days, business skills training events, and other activities on a regular calendar.
2008: CoWA partnered with UNICEF to support training and employment for vulnerable youth by developing a market-oriented attachment and employment model.
2010-2013: CoWA played a significant role in launching the St. Charles Lwanga Vocational Training Centre in Kibera, an affiliate of St. Kizito VTI. CoWA’s main roles included marketing and raising awareness about the importance of vocational skills training in Kibera slums, collaborating with key stakeholders to set up the institution, and strengthening training programs. Efforts were made to ensure that graduates fit well into the competitive labor market through detailed induction programs, life skills and employability skills, entrepreneurship training, and orientation to work programs. Collaboration with industries was enhanced through internships, job matching, industrial visits, and human resources forums. CoWA was also involved in supporting business start-ups and scale-ups to improve the livelihood and economic well-being of the community.
2015: CoWA partnered with ICEP, an Austrian NGO, for a six-year project called Skills and Work East Africa Resources (SWEAR). This project aimed to reduce poverty in Kampala, Uganda, and Nairobi, Kenya, through pro-poor growth by strengthening local capacity-building structures that provide technical and entrepreneurial training for youth. Partner institutions included St. Kizito VTI, Imani Marianist VTC, and Eastlands College of Technology (ECT), an affiliate of Stramshore University.
2016: CoWA launched the Dual Training System as part of the SWEAR project funded by ICEP. This initiative aimed to create a training system where three main stakeholders—industry, government, and vocational training institutions—collaborate to provide technical qualifications.
2017: CoWA successfully participated in training related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), project cycle management, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. In the same year, CoWA founded the Network of Vocational Education Stakeholders in Kenya (NVES), which includes Eastlands College Technical (ECT), St. Kizito VTI, and Imani Marianist VT. The network was established as a result of the SWEAR project to promote meaningful vocational education through innovative training and impact-based models. One such model is the Dual Training System, which involves key players such as industry participants, TVET policymakers, and development partners in promoting a practical-oriented curriculum based on mutual understanding.
2018: CoWA launched its five-year strategic plan (2018-2022) with key thematic areas: growing and diversifying CoWA’s funding base and partner linkages, strengthening internal capacity to achieve program priorities, developing programs effectively, forging partnerships to improve CoWA’s competitive position, and advocating with key stakeholders in skills training and youth employment.
2019: CoWA participated in the Economic Inclusion of Young Women with Children Living with Disabilities in partnership with Call Africa, a three-year project under the You Will Never Walk Alone (YWNWA) initiative in urban areas of Ruaraka, Embakasi, and Kibera.
2020: CoWA launched its online job agency, CoWARIC, in partnership with ApaMoyo, to provide a job placement and training platform.
2021: CoWA rebranded its programs to include Services for Jobseekers, Young Entrepreneurs Services, and Recruitment Services for Companies, aligning its focus with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) to enhance job opportunities and economic inclusion.
2022: CoWA launched several key initiatives to enhance education and skills development, in line with SDG 4 (Quality Education). The organization introduced a comprehensive Career Guidance program for Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs), including career counseling, job fairs, and skills assessment workshops. These efforts were designed to better align vocational training with market demands and improve educational outcomes for youth.
2023: Building on the previous year’s successes, CoWA expanded its support for vocational training and employment. The organization hosted a series of job fairs and networking events, connecting VTIs, job seekers, and employers, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering economic growth and innovation. CoWA intensified its collaboration with partners to offer specialized employability programs, including skills workshops, internships, and entrepreneurship support, thus advancing SDG 8. The organization utilized its job placement platforms—CoWARIC, the CoWA app, and physical mapping processes—to enhance job placement outcomes and ensure effective employability for youth.
2024: CoWA continued its commitment to vocational education and employment through impactful projects and strategic partnerships, supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The organization advanced its enterprise development programs, equipping young entrepreneurs with essential skills and resources to launch and scale their businesses. Additionally, CoWA initiated the LastMile Project, which focused on enhancing TVET institutions' capacity through targeted training and development programs. This project aimed to improve the quality of vocational education and ensure effective job placements, leveraging CoWARIC, the CoWA app, and physical mapping and placement processes. CoWA’s sustained focus on education, skills development, and employability solidified its role as a leading force in promoting youth empowerment and economic growth, in alignment with the broader Sustainable Development Goals.
