Some 41 youths who have been training to acquire practical skills under the Jiajili program graduated at a ceremony held in Embu.
The number brings to about 3500 youths who have been trained under the program, sponsored by the Kenya Commercial Bank Foundation, together with the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and the Embu County Government.
The youths who have been trained at the Don Bosco Vocational Centre and the Jeremiah Nyaga Technical Training Institute have also been trained in entrepreneurship and were also given the requisite tools to start their own businesses.
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire who graced the graduation ceremony at the University of Embu grounds said her government will continue to co-sponsor the program, matching the training opportunity for each one provided by the foundation.
She advised the youth to register companies so as to be able to bid for the 30 per cent of her government’s procurement reserved for youth, women and persons with disability.
Esther Waititu from the KCB said the foundation has so far spent over Sh200 million on the trainings that also see the youth provided with top range starter tool kits for their respective trades.
She added that their partnership with GIZ emphasizes that the youth be trained to do ” clean jobs” that is to work in ways that do not harm the environment.
Embu Deputy Governor Kinyua Mugo speaking at the function said technical skills route was the way to go, if Kenya was to move from a consumer to a manufacturing state.
By Steve Gatheru
