Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi has encouraged Baringo youth to enroll in courses in foreign languages to enable them to secure job opportunities abroad.
Mr. Cheboi stated that countries like Germany and South Korea, with which the county administration has forged partnerships, were willing to hire Kenyan nationals who were conversant with their respective languages.
Speaking during the 60th annual Madaraka Day celebrations at Moi Kabartonjo Primary School grounds in Baringo North Sub County, Cheboi stated that his government has embarked on a drive to provide youth with skills development, which will in turn promote social and economic growth.
The county boss pointed out that all 14 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) across the seven sub-counties are fully operational and empowered to offer technological courses like tiling, gypsum installation, automotive industry innovations, solar, and biogas, which will be complemented by foreign languages like German, French, and Korean in order to build skill sets needed not only in the country but also by international job markets.
“In Germany, for example, there are about 2 million jobs which our residents need to take advantage of so that we can increase our diaspora funds that come to the country every year, thus improving the quality of life,” Cheboi stated.
He stated that Sh12 million has been allocated by the county government in the recently concluded supplementary budget for trainees in VTCs to boost skills acquisition, which will also go a long way in increasing enrolment and retention of an optimum number of 5,000 students up from the current 1,331, which represents a dismal 22 percent of the overall potential.
Baringo Central Member of Parliament Joshua Kandie echoed the sentiments of Governor Cheboi, stating that leaders from across the county have been tasked to mobilise local youth to take up available opportunities in technical courses since white-collar jobs were difficult to come by.
He stated that there were many available opportunities for those students who have studied electronics, mechatronics, and metal work, saying these are the talents that the Germans and foreign markets highly require by 2024.
“When we were in Germany recently, our foreign partners instructed us to lobby for talented youth in technical fields whom they are ready to employ, provided they are acquainted with their language,” the Baringo Central legislator said.
Kandie said the initiative is the right step in developing residents in the vast county in order to improve their livelihoods and become economically stable.
The event was also attended by Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Kutwa, Deputy Governor Engineer Felix Kimaiyo, Baringo North MP Joseph Makilap, and a host of Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
By Gloria Cheboi and Joshua Kibet
