Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Josiah Odongo has raised concerns over the low enrollment rates at local technical training institutions, despite the increasing demand for skilled labour in the area.
Speaking in Naivasha, Odongo lamented that institutions, such as one located in Longonot, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technical training equipment, continue to attract few students.
The DCC has now directed local government administration officers, including chiefs and their assistants, to mobilise and sensitise eligible youths to enrol in these institutions to gain the technical skills the market demands.
He said that taking advantage of the cutting-edge training offered would significantly boost the youths’ chances of securing jobs in Naivasha, which is experiencing growing investment that demands technical skills.
Odongo expressed concern over the lack of technical skills among local youths, which has kept them from seizing new job opportunities such as plumbing among other skills.
He reiterated that the skills gained through technical training could also help them secure job opportunities at government-led initiatives like the ongoing Affordable Housing projects in various regions.
Last month, the Ministry of Education posted 2,000 newly employed trainers to TVET institutions to help address the trainer-student ratio and ensure quality training that meets market demand.
The trainers who have been deployed to 242 institutions in the country now bring the total number of trainers to 9,351 against a student population of 420,559, which keeps rising every year. And is expected to increase to over 700,000 in the coming years.
This year, the government celebrated 100 years of TVET institutions’ existence in the country, where President Willam Ruto announced a commitment target of one million students enrolled on these institutions in the next five years to bridge the technical skills gap in the local market and for export.
Already, the government, through the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), has issued licenses to tens of investors that seek to put up their multi-million shillings investment, which is expected to spur economic growth in Naivasha.
The government has since announced an additional 5,000 acres from the initially allocated 1,000 acres due to the growing demand for more land at the zone located in the Mai Mahiu area of Naivasha.
In addition, three companies have already broken ground for the investments, including a car auction company, an electric assembly, and a potato processing plant, all expected to create thousands of both formal and technical jobs for locals.
These investments, coupled with the expanding construction boom at the lakeside town, are what Odongo is banking on to enable the local youths to benefit from and unchain themselves from unemployment and drug usage.
In addition, the government has approved the prior learning policy that seems to accredit and formalise technical skills acquired from informal setups such as Jua Kali.
The policy targets thousands of youths with technical skills but lacks certifications for the knowledge to enable them to benefit from local and international job opportunities.
Meanwhile, Odongo assured the public of the government’s preparedness for the secure administration of the upcoming national exams, scheduled from October 28 to November 22.
He confirmed that students set to sit for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KIPSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams have already completed their rehearsals.
The DCC also issued a stern warning to individuals involved in sharing fake exam materials, stating that legal action would be taken against anyone caught attempting to undermine the integrity of the exams.
“Any persons caught sharing fake exam materials with our students will be arrested, as the government has put necessary measures in place to guarantee the integrity of the exams across all classes,” Odongo said.
Additionally, Odongo commended the Nakuru County government for introducing the Uji feeding programme aimed at lower primary students, noting that the initiative would help retain students in school and improve attendance rates.
By Erastus Gichohi and Paul Wainaina
