Over 900 male recruits from Kericho County have successfully secured employment in the building and construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a successful two- day’s recruitment exercise held at the Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College (KERITTVC).
This follows the government announcement last year to recruit skilled youth nationwide for overseas jobs.
The State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training engaged four recruitment agencies that presented themselves at KERITTVC notably Blue Wave International Services Limited, Raytoria, Al Suwedi International Recruitment Agency Limited and Loivin recruitment, all duly registered under the National Employment Authority (NEA) that identified the skills needed in UAE where the youths are destined to work.
In an interview with KNA at the end of the exercise held at the institution, Principal Shadrack Tonui said over 1, 000 recruits with skills in carpentry, masonry, electrical engineering, plumbing, steel fixing, among others turned up for the interviews with 900 qualifying to work in UAE.
“Today we have actually been able to register more than 1, 200 youths with different skills and trade areas ranging from carpentry, electrical engineering, masonry, plumbing, scaffolding, waterproofing technicians, general laborers, AC duct men and others. 900 youths were successful among them were 20 youths from this institution. We are happy that this exercise has actually shed light on the need for more youth to engage in training in our TVET institutions and so it gives us a signal that this is a good initiative by the government in ensuring the youth actually secure employment even outside the country, “said Tonui.
He added that four employment agencies not only conducted oral but also practical interviews to check on the technical capability of the recruits while appealing to those who passed the rigorous recruitment exercise to positively represent Kenya in the UAE.
“The employment agencies from Abu Dhabi were very strict when it came to the practicals in the skilled areas. A good number of youths actually qualified because they were actually already practicing their skills. The next thing we are praying is that when they actually go out of the country, they represent us well. Those who were successful will be given their contract letters and given some days to process all their travel requirements prior to flying out of the country,” said Principal Tonui.
Successful candidates of ages 22 to 45 years will be expected to work in any of the six emirates of UAE on a two-year renewable contract with salaries ranging from Sh 35,000 (900 Arab Emirates Dirhams) to Sh 105,000 (3,000 Arab Emirates Dirhams). The recruits are expected to be medically fit and in possession of all the required professional certificates including a clearance from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and a valid passport, noted Principal Tonui.
In the same breath, Kericho County deputy speaker Eric Bett commended the government for the initiative while appealing for more recruitment exercises noting this will open up employment opportunities for skilled unemployed youths in the County, which will in turn guarantee remittances will come back home for investment.
Echoing similar sentiments, Board Chairman KERITTVC Mr. Reuben Langat said the vital role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET centers is to produce a skilled workforce noting that these skills were increasingly in demand in developing countries.
He revealed that for those who may have no money to pay for their air ticket, arrangements will be made to have them funded under the Youth enterprise Fund, and have them repay the money after settling in their jobs in the UAE.
Twenty- eight- year – old Kiptoo Ngeno hailing from Tegat village in Belgut sub-county within Kericho County expressed appreciation after securing a carpentry job opportunity in Dubai.
“I completed my Form Four in 2014 attaining a mean grade of C plus but since I come from a humble background, I was not able to pursue my university education as my parents could not afford to raise the fees so I opted to join Eldoret Polytechnic to pursue a diploma in Electrical engineering, power option and after failing to secure employment after graduating in 2017. I later joined TVET to undertake a certificate in carpentry and joinery and upon graduating I opened my own workshop where I have been able to earn a living and provide for my family. I have five years working at my workshop. I am happy I have secured employment in Dubai and I thank God for this opportunity,” said Ngeno.
Last year, Labour and Social Protection CS, Dr. Alfred Mutua announced that the State was seeking at least 10,000 Kenyans to work in the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates beginning this year.
By Sarah Njagi
