Fastest Growing Professions In Kenya And Why

By Selipha Kihagi

While the unemployment rate in Kenya continues to show an upward curve and companies continue to reduce their workforce, some professions are still expected to grow as their demand rises. This then means that more people are bound to lose their jobs later this year when demand for their expertise gets replaced with the need for better processes.

Sad and blunt as this may sound, there will be need for people to take time and evaluate their careers. Ask yourself, what growth awaits you down the line? Is your position going to be extinct in the next few months? What can you do to make sure you stay relevant?

You cannot alter the dynamics of progression, but you can choose a path that guarantees you new and better opportunities along the way; a path where your expertise will be required for the completion of projects and realization of results. And the first step of identifying this ideal path is by focusing on the professions expected to see growth.

So, which are some of the fast growing professions in Kenya?

1. IT security
If your degree is in Information Technology or related, just having a job as an IT technician will not hold up a long time. You will need to learn new skills and grow your expertise in IT security. Why? We can all agree that technology is growing at a very high speed, with new gadgets aimed at manipulating the existing systems.

For this reason organizations will want to protect their information and data, and this is where IT security expertise will come in. And for those who will take time to learn more about online security systems, you will be better placed in the current and next job market. Protecting information is key for any organization and those who haven’t realized this; it is only a matter of time.

2. Finance and Accounting
This is the one profession that is not about to grow old in Kenya. While it also makes up for one of the most saturated professions in the country, every organization will need financial advice and accountants to keep the books clean. So, for those of you who love numbers, it might be best if you perfect your skills and learn about the various available systems as only the best and most valuable will be picked for the job.

And in support of this theory that companies will need financial services more, a study conducted last year shows that this industry is expected to grow by at least 41 per cent in the next 10 years. Convinced yet?

3. Digital Communication & Marketing
Everyone who is digitally literate has seen what the digital community can do to grow a business as well as bring it down. This has resulted to employers identifying with the need to have an everyday presence in the digital world, making themselves reachable through social media and even conducting their business online. This need will only grow in the next years as technology changes how people do business.

So, for those of you in the marketing fields, research and communications, you might want to focus on gaining digital marketing skills and online prowess. Take up a short course or avail yourself in a position that will help you learn the tricks of digital marketing and communication. You will soon reap the benefits.

4. Engineering
Where are the engineers? Most organizations will always require an engineer in their staff. If they don’t have one, they will outsource to individual consultants or companies that provide engineering services. With the growth expected in the oil and gas industry arising from to discovery of oil in the country and other Africa regions, it is only obvious that the demand for good engineers will be high. But also remember that your area of specialization will matter, for example, civil, electrical, mechanical, geospatial and software engineering is expected to do good.

So, what are you doing to make sure you are the best in the field? Remember that an engineering job will always come with a pleasing salary package.

These are just but a few professions. Others like health care, counseling and procurement are also seeing growth. Take time and research on the profession you are in. What sector is expected to grow and where will your expertise be needed most? Will you need to learn a new skill to increase your chances? Find out and put yourself above the rest.