Naivas Supermarket has formalised partnerships with seven Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to equip young Kenyans with practical skills and improve their chances of securing employment in the retail sector.
The retailer signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the institutions on Friday, 23 October 2026, during a ceremony held at its Nairobi headquarters, attended by the Principal Secretary for TVET.
The partnerships have already helped more than 300 students and graduates secure employment at Naivas stores across the country, particularly in the supermarket chain’s bakery, deli and other fresh food departments.
The initiative seeks to address the gap between skills acquired in training institutions and the practical requirements of employers, which remains a challenge for many young Kenyans entering the job market.
Under the arrangement, Naivas will work closely with the institutions to align training programmes with the needs of the retail industry, while providing students with industrial attachment opportunities and pathways to employment.
The retailer’s bakery and deli specialists have been involved in reviewing training curricula to ensure students acquire skills that meet current industry standards.
Students also benefit from practical training in Naivas stores, where they gain hands-on experience in food preparation, customer service and day-to-day retail operations.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Naivas Chief Executive Officer Andreas Von Paleske reaffirmed the company’s commitment to developing local talent and creating meaningful employment opportunities for young Kenyans.
The collaboration builds on several years of engagement between Naivas and the participating institutions, during which students have gained practical industry exposure and employment opportunities.
Beyond training and recruitment, the partnerships also create commercial opportunities for the institutions, which engage with Naivas as suppliers and retail partners.
The newly signed agreements will provide a formal framework for continued collaboration in curriculum development, internships, industrial attachments, recruitment and knowledge sharing.
The Principal Secretary for TVET welcomed the initiative, noting the importance of partnerships between training institutions and employers in ensuring graduates acquire practical skills relevant to the job market.
The signing ceremony brought together Naivas executives, representatives of the seven institutions, government officials and stakeholders from the education and retail sectors.
The partnership comes as Kenya continues to place greater emphasis on vocational training and industry collaboration as pathways to addressing youth unemployment and improving the transition from education to work.
For Naivas, the initiative is expected to strengthen its pipeline of skilled workers while giving more young Kenyans an opportunity to turn their technical training into careers in the retail industry.