I recently overheard an interesting discussion about SGR
jobs. The people who were discussing were young folks – probably form 4 or polytechnic
leavers. Ideally, I shouldn’t have been listening in on their conversation, but
then again, they were talking within my earshot and ears have no curtains. The main
issue in the discussion, I gathered, was how exactly people get SGR jobs. It
became clear that the two young men were eager to get SGR jobs but just couldn’t
figure out where to start. It then became clear to me that I too, didn’t know
where I would start, if I were looking for a SGR job in Kenya. And I subsequently
endeavored to do some research, to find out how people get the SGR jobs.
My research revealed that there are two main ways in which
people get SGR jobs in Kenya.
The first way in which people get SGR jobs in Kenya is by
way of making applications. The companies that are involved in the construction
and operation of the SGR in Kenya advertise open positions from time to time,
and interested people can go ahead and make their applications. This is
especially the case for 'higher' professional positions.
The second way in which people get SGR jobs in Kenya is by
presenting themselves for walk-in interviews. This is especially the case for the
lower cadre positions, that are supposed to be held by ‘local’ people wherever the SGR passes. So this
is where you hear that on such and such a date, the SGR company would be ‘taking’
such and such cadres of employees. Then you present yourself at the gate, for a
walk-in interview on the appropriate date, typically early in the morning.
I also
came to learn that networking is important for people who are seeking SGR jobs.
You can network with the people who are already working in the SGR, and also
network with local political operatives (especially if you are looking for one
of the lower cadre jobs that are supposed to be held by ‘local people’). Networking
takes very little effort. It is much easier than, say, trying to apply fora Kenya birth certificate online or trying to renew a driving license
through Kenya ntsa ecitizen tims. Yet if you take the trouble to network
with the relevant people, you may enhance your chances of getting a SGR job
considerably.
