The County Government of Makueni through the Department of Youth, Gender, Sports, and Social Services, has offered free vocational training to 344 youths in a bid to empower them to acquire skills to be self-reliant.
The revelations were made by Makueni County Director of Youth, Mr. Boniface Muting’a, in his Wote Town office, where he said some of the youths’ courses will take two to four months of training.
Among the courses the youths have been trained in are carpentry, beauty and fashion, plumbing, mechanical engineering, barberry, and driving.
“Some of the programs that youths are enrolled in include Ujuzi Teketeke 103, Makueni Youth Apprentice Program 130, and support for Boda Boda Sector 111,” said Muting’a in an interview with KNA.
“These initiatives are aimed at fostering economic self-reliance and professional development among young individuals, besides providing the tools necessary to help them succeed in various trades and industries,” added the Youth Director.
He further disclosed that his department will initiate another program soon to benefit 210 youths to acquire skills to help them enhance their profession in aquaculture and mango drying value addition.
“The free vocational training and empowerment program will enhance the skills of the youth and improve their employment prospects,” he observed.
While challenging the youths to join the programs offered by the County Government, Muting’a said his department has initiated an awareness programme to ensure more youths are enrolled in the programs. However, the director said that the major challenge they face is funding, which has led to delays in starting the training programs.
By Sophie Wambugu
