Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani says her administration is focusing on strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as part of efforts to address youth unemployment in the coastal county.
Governor Achani noted that not everyone leaving secondary school will transition to institutions of higher learning hence the need for technical training at the local level.
She said the county government is turning its focus to the provision of technical skills in a bid to address the growing deficit in skilled labor and hands-on experience in the region.
The governor says TVETs can improve access to the labor market and livelihood opportunities for the large number of young people leaving school without the required skills for their integration into the job market.
Achani says since the inception of devolution in 2013 the number of TVETs has risen from 12 to 43 technical facilities across the 20 administrative wards.
She stressed that the technical institutes would catalyze innovation, self-reliance, and socio-economic transformation in the coastal region.
The technical institutes offer a diverse range of specialized training programs in various fields including engineering, carpentry and joinery, refrigeration and air conditioning, welding, masonry, mechanics, electrical, plumbing, tailoring and dressmaking, catering, hairdressing and beauty among other trades.
She says the proliferation of the TVETs seeks to equip young people with relevant skills and vocational training to be productive members of society and create sustainable sources of livelihood.
“As a devolved government we are equipping TVETS to provide learners with the requisite technical skills needed to eke out a living,” she said while stressing the importance of skill acquisition and vocational training for the youth.
The county boss says the devolved unit is dedicated to improving access to vocational training in the county as well as its quality and relevance in the labor market.
She said TVETs are key in achieving the Kenya Vision 2030 development agenda and urged the youth to join them to gain practical skills that will improve their employability.
Vision 2030 is a development program launched by the national government in 2008 and is aimed at catapulting the country into a middle-income economy by the year 2030.
Achani spoke when she presided over the graduation ceremony of the Kamale TVET center in the Samburu sub-county.
Achani says the county is upgrading local TVETS for Sh10 million to centers of excellence, recruiting additional staff, and also linking graduates with potential employers.
She says the county seeks to support the youth with the necessary technical skills and opportunities to strengthen their self-resilience and sustainability.
Governor Achani says the county currently faces a severe shortage of skilled artisans such as plumbers, carpenters, welders, mechanics, and masons among other related skills.
The event was graced by the presence of Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo and County Executive Committee Member for Social Services and Talent Management Francisca Kilonzo.
By Hussein Abdullahi
