The government has injected over Sh.30 billion towards modernizing and expanding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the country.
These efforts aim at meeting the industrial need for relevant skills and knowhow required in the various fields offered by the institutions.
According to TVET Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Margaret Mwakima, the government would like to see National Polytechnics, Technical Training Institutes, Technical and Vocational colleges, supplying the human resource needs of the industry.
In this regard the PS said, the government has increased the number of TVET institutions from 52 in 2013 to 238 in 2021 at a cost of Sh. 10.6 bn.
“TVET’s have also received Sh. 10.3bn as capitation and Sh. 11bn in HELB loans to TVET trainees since 2019, and a further Sh. 2bn is given to Vocational Training Colleges (VTC’s) every financial year,” explained Dr. Mwakima.
The PS who spoke at the eighth graduation ceremony of Ol’lessos Technical Training Institute (OTTI) noted that due to the funding, the enrollment of TVET learners in the country has increased from 55,945 in 2013 to 249,316 in 2021.
“In order to meet the increased number of trainees, the government is set to employ 3,000 TVET trainers. Of the total, 2,000 slots will be filled by degree holders while 1,000 will be taken by diploma holders,” stated Dr. Mwakima.
Further she said the government shall continue funding the construction and equipping of modern workshops and laboratories to ensure TVET institutions provide topmost training experience for its trainees.
She urged the graduands to utilize the skills and knowhow acquired to earn a living and contribute in building the nation.
“The fourth industrial revolution we are going through requires artisans, technologists and technicians. That is what the training experience has given to you, make use of it”, she explained.
Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno who graced the event urged the graduands to utilize the knowledge they have to make change in society.
He however urged the government through the Ministry of Education to reconsider scrapping certificate and diploma courses in universities.
“The government has already equipped TVETs to fully train diploma, certificate and craft courses, why should they be duplicated at the university level, this is a waste,” he pointed.
OTTI Principal Dr. Rosebella Chukwu, congratulated the 1, 789 graduands adding that their training has prepared them for employability and job creation.
“As you go out, there are unlimited employment opportunities, I encourage you to compete with other graduands locally, regionally and globally”, she said.
By Bethsheba Abuya
