Introduction
The National Employment Authority (NEA) was established in April, 2016 by an Act of Parliament (the National Employment Authority Act 2016) which effectively provided the legal framework and mandates for its operations. The Authority was created out of the then National Employment Bureau (NEB) which was one of the Departments in the Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection. The Act therefore provided for the transitioning of the Bureau into the National Employment Authority.
It mainly provides for a comprehensive institutional framework for:
- Employment management;
- Enhancement of employment promotion interventions; and
- Increasing access to employment by the youth, minorities and marginalized groups and for connected purposes.
Key Functions and Responsibilities of the NEA
1. Public Employment Services
The Authority is mandated to advise, formulate and implement employment policies and strategies at both national and county levels. The Authority offers the following services;
- Registration of Kenyans seeking employment.
- Linking job seekers with job opportunities.
- Assisting employers to acquire workers with appropriate skill sets.
- Provision of labour market information especially on employment matters.
- Provision of occupational and vocational guidance and counseling
- Provision of advisory services on policy issues touching on employment ; and
- Registering Employers in Kenya.
2. National Internship Programme
The National Employment Authority Act of 2016 recognizes internships and obligates the Authority to facilitate placement of students at tertiary institutions in positions of internship or attachment in the public and private sectors during and after completion of their studies. The Authority offers the following services in regards to the Internship programme;
- Coordinating all internship programmes in the country.
- Developing internship policies and programmes.
- Developing standards for effective implementation of internship programmes.
- Maintaining a database on available internship opportunities from employers.
- Sharing information on internship programmes thus making it easier for graduates to secure and access internship opportunities.
- Developing internship placement guidelines.
- Offering guidance and counseling to graduates on internship matters; and
- Monitoring internship programmes offered to foreign graduates.
3. Registration of Employment Agencies
- Registering and regulating private employment agencies.
- Providing information on registered employment agencies.
- Inspection of private employment agencies to ensure compliance.
4. Management of Foreign Employment
- Facilitating the placement of job seekers in international jobs.
- Ensuring implementation of pre-departure training.
- Verifying foreign job offers.
- Verifying availability, terms and conditions of the jobs advertised.
- Investigating Contract breaches and issues that are likely to interfere or terminate employment contract.
- Promoting and protecting of Kenyan labour Migrants and their welfare.
- Collecting labour market information and maintaining data base of Kenyan nationals working in other Countries.