Ruben Centre Skills Training Programme

The Human Development and Skills Training Programme is the vocational arm of the Ruben Centre, a community centre in Mukuru Kwa Reuben that was started in 1986 by a Mercy Sister and has been run by the Christian Brothers since about 2000. The programme trains young people and women from the Mukuru settlements in practical trades so that they can find work or start a small business. In July 2024 it moved into the newly built Simbi Complex, known as Ruben B, a short walk from the main centre, which has bright classrooms for theory, practical rooms and a digital learning space. Certificate courses have included tailoring and dressmaking, weaving (six to nine months, with wall looms for carpet making), small urban farming, small animal husbandry, a nanny course and an IT course on building a freelance business; catering, cosmetology and digital literacy were added after the move. Shorter flexible courses of one to three months cover bead making, African crafts, knitting, rug making and machine sewing. The centre says Ministry of Education certification is available for several courses. After training, a transition programme offers mentoring and some financial support to help graduates get started.