1 May 2025
“Some people think work-based learning (WBL) is an educational tool but I think it's a strategic investment; it’s a cost-effective means of developing young leadership.”
These were the thoughts of Yodit Admasu Birhane, managing director of Freight in Time and long-time adopter of WBL initiatives, expressed during a LinkedIn Live panel discussion last week. Organised by People that Deliver (PtD) and moderated by the coalition’s deputy chair, Professor Ehijie Enato, the discussion provided an opportunity to alert governments, supply chain organisations and other stakeholders to the resources available to help adopt and implement work-based learning initiatives, namely PtD’s Strategies for engaging youth in supply chain management (SCM) careers.
Alongside Pamela Steele, chief executive of Pamela Steele Associates, PtD has created two resources: one explaining the strategies behind implementing WBL initiatives and a WBL toolkit to guide a wide range of stakeholders, including educators, employers, government bodies and industry associations. WBL can be applied at different stages of career development and can be adapted to suit career exploration, pre-professional development or in-work development. It is hoped the resources will lead to an uptick in the prevalence of WBL initiatives that equip participants with the practical skills and hands-on knowledge necessary to thrive in professional settings. Examples of WBL include traineeships, simulations, job shadowing, internships and work tasters
According to Pamela Steele, “The tools are now there to guide employers.”
Large youth population and high unemployment equals unprecedented opportunity
“We have a unique opportunity to attract youth to a career in SCM – 70 percent of Africans are under the age of 35 and there is such a low employment rate,” said Simon Patrick Obi, founder of Greenlight Initiative.
“We need to work closely with governments and make sure there are policies to incentivise organisations to implement WBL initiatives.”
Yodit Admasu Birhane said that companies have a social responsibility to bring through the next generation of employees: “There is a huge shortage in the health workforce globally and especially in Africa. WBL can close this gap and fresh talent – youth in particular – will inject new ideas and innovations into the health supply chain.”
The LinkedIn Live audience heard from Margaret Achieng from the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) in Kenya, and beneficiary of the Girls on the Move (GOTM) programme. The programme invites employers in the county of Kisumu to provide internship opportunities for young women seeking careers in health supply chain management.
In the first iteration of the programme in 2023, 39 women gained internships with ten employers. For 23 women, the programme has led to permanent employment. Margaret is one of those women.
“I have university classmates who graduated with me in 2022 – both male and female – who haven't been able to break into the field. Finding a job without experience is very difficult but WBL is certainly one of the ways to solve this problem,” she said.
“Through a class WhatsApp group I learned about GOTM and I applied. Within a few weeks I was a supply chain intern at MEDS in Kisumu.”
“It was a holistic experience – I didn’t just gain the technical work experience but also the soft skills required to navigate the working environment.”
Margaret is now a procurement officer for MEDS and having gained experience in different areas of the health supply chain organisation, she has developed a considerable understanding of the organisation’s supply chain processes.
Real benefits for employers
According to Pamela Steele the benefits of WBL are not one-sided: “One thing is clear - there are mutual benefits for the employer and the interns.”
“Youth provide an extra pair of hands and a safe pair of hands. They come with no baggage and they come with curiosity – they want to solve problems.”
With the WBL strategies and toolkit freely available, organisations have access to the step-by-step information required to implement apprenticeships, internships, mentorships and others.
And especially considering the current funding landscape – all panellists agreed – WBL can play a cost-effective role in strengthening organisational capacity and developing a skilled health SCM workforce.
Start using the Strategies and WBL toolkit for engaging youth in supply chain management careers.
Watch the recording of the panel discussion here.
