Principal Secretary for Vocational and Technical Training, Kevit Desai has urged Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to realign their training to the government’s Big Four Agenda.
Desai made the appeal on Friday in Samia Sub County when he inaugurated the
new Board of Management for Bumbe Technical Training Institute (Samia), Bunyala Technical Training Institute (Bunyala) and Okame Technical Training Institute (Teso South).
He said the institutions should strive to produce competent graduates who will help the government achieve its big four agenda of food security, manufacturing (focusing on job creation), affordable universal health care and affordable housing.
“Kenya has the power to reorient itself towards sustainable development using TVET as a vehicle for socio-economic and technological development.
“Apart from generating skills for national development, TVET is also vital in the realization of the Big Four agenda through provision of world class skills for irrigation, construction, maintenance of health facilities, manufacturing and entrepreneurial skills for trade and investment,” he stated.
Desai disclosed that his Ministry and the National Housing Corporation have reached an agreement to enlist the services of TVET graduates into the 500,000- 1000,000 housing projects that the government is set to roll out this year.
He also noted that the Ministry will introduce Competence Based Education and Training (CBET) in Technical Vocation Education to tackle the high unemployment levels in the country where technical skills, national values and heritage will be inculcated.
Budalangi Member of Parliament Raphael Wanjala who accompanied the PS at Bunyala and Bumbe Technical Training Institutes hailed the government for the strides it has made in transforming the country’s education system.
He appealed to primary and secondary school leavers in his constituency to enroll for various courses offered at the technical institutes to empower themselves; further, he urged the community to shun the mentality created by the old education system that claimed technical institutes are meant for poor school performers.
He said his office will soon partner with chiefs and their assistants in mobilizing youths in Budalangi for enrollment.
Bunyala Sub County Deputy Commissioner Titus Kilonzi who represented the Busia County Commissioner urged residents to make maximum use of the institutions the government has set up in the county to empower the young generation.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
