The National Government through the Ministry of Education has increased funding channeled towards development of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions around the country.
This initiative by the government is in line with the ‘Big 4’ Agenda to transform Kenya into an industrialized and middle income country.
Education Principal Secretary (PS), Margaret Mwakima mentioned this during the commissioning of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Tseikuru Technical Training Institute (TTI).
The number of TVET institutions have also been increased from the initial 52 in 2013 to the current 238, at a total cost of Sh10.6 billion Kenya shillings.
“The increase of Technical and Vocational Education Training Institute is a strategy by the government to help curb youth unemployment through provision of skills, knowledge, research and innovation,” Mwakima added.
Tseikuru Technical Training Institute is one of the eight (8) TVET institutions established under the African Development Bank (AFDB) intervention in TVET Kenya in 2009-2014 which benefitted a total of 27 institutions.
Mwakima pointed out that the government intends to have a technical training institute in every Sub- county and later have them elevated to national polytechnics.
Mwingi North Member of Parliament (MP), Paul Nzengu, lauded the National Government for the support to Tseikuru TTI.
He said that the money would not only help to equip learners with technical skills but also aid in the growth of the Tseikuru town economically.
Nzengu also urged local residents to ensure the youths enroll in the learning institution in order to acquire more essential skills.
“I also urge business people to invest more in rental apartments and construction to accommodate learners as well as other persons within the town,” Nzengu said.
Kyuso Sub-county Deputy County Commissioner, Anne Mirema, encouraged the youth to join the training institution in line with the ‘Big 4’ Agenda to eradicate unemployment among the youth.
Tseikuru TTI Board of Management Chair, Nyamu Mati, said the Center began in January 2016 and sits on 19.61 hectares of land and has so far managed to enroll more than 500 learners across the country.
By Kasera Onyango and Mary Paul
