Over 300 youth in Lembus Ward of Baringo County will benefit from a Sh 4 million empowerment programme dubbed Jiskill sponsored by the County Government aimed at boosting their driving skills.
Launching the programme at Seguton Chief’s Camp, County Executive Committee member (CEC) for Education, Youth and Gender Affairs, Dr David Sergon, said that the project is geared towards equipping the beneficiaries with requisite knowledge and skills in the field of driving, in order to enable them secure employment both in formal and informal sectors.
“There is available market openings in the County if the youth seize the opportunity of acquiring skills in local vocational training colleges (TVET) as the sector has a huge potential of absorbing all unemployed youth unlike those relying on blue-collar jobs,” said Dr Sergon
He said the government has greatly subsidized fees for students joining Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) institutes, to allow all those who do not secure places in universities and other tertiary colleges pursue market oriented courses.
The CEC said that the County Government will soon advertise job vacancies for instructors and interns to be deployed to local institutions.
County Assembly Majority Leader, Lawi Kipchumba, who attended the function challenged the youth to ensure they utilize the driving licenses once they graduate to secure gainful employment and stay away from drug and substance abuse.
Area Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Benjamin Koech, who partnered with the County Government in funding the programme, added that the graduates once they completed the training will be eligible for employment within and outside the county.
Mr Koech commended the County Government for the support, saying the project will help the beneficiaries better their lives and that of their families.
Director First Choice, Recruitment and Consultancy, Judy Chepchichir, who links the youth to employment opportunities abroad, called upon parents to enroll their children, especially those enslaved in alcohol and substance abuse in the programme, to enable them gain jobs in countries such as Qatar, Poland and Canada.
By Betty Malakwen and Caroline Cherono
