The government has installed Sh150 million ultra-modern equipment in 15 technical and vocational training institutions in various counties over the past one year.
Vocational and Technical Training Principal Secretary Dr. Kevit Desai revealed that serving tutors will undergo retraining to handle the new technology.
“Training equipment and other infrastructural facilities in the technical training institutions countrywide are being upgraded to international standards so that our trainees can get the best skills and knowledge that would enable them work anywhere in the world,” the PS said.
Dr. Desai made the remarks at Konoin Technical Training Institute Tuesday, during the official opening of the training programme for 24 Agricultural Value Chain Trainers from 12 institutions co-sponsored by the Chinese government.
“The government is spending Sh14.4 million in training 24 trainers from 12 technical and vocational training institutions in the country on agricultural value addition,” he said, adding that already equipment worth Sh100 million which the trainers will be trained on has been installed at the institution.
He said that 152 TVET trainers have been trained in mechatronics, electrical and electronics, welding, mechanical, automotive and agricultural machinery technology.
Other trainings are on civil construction, refrigeration and air conditioning and hospitality at different levels.
Dr. Desai who was accompanied by Bomet Senator Christopher Langat and Konoin Member of Parliament Brighton Yegon who was the host, said the training will enable TVET trainers to equip the trainees with knowledge, skills and competencies required for economic development.
The PS said there is need to create new enterprises, promote research, technology and food science in the country, as the industry moves to embrace new technologies, thus the need to re-train the trainers to raise their capacities.
“Human resource skills and capacity is key to manufacturing, industrial growth and meeting the presidential directive of achieving the big four agenda,” Desai stated.
He said that through increased government capitation from Sh2.5 billion to Sh5.2 billion for students in the various technical institutions, the students will have access to quality technical skills.
The PS pointed out that Curriculum Development and Certification (CDACC) which is responsible for development, assessment and certification of TVET programs has been operationalized alongside Kenya National Qualification Authority (KNQA) to ensure recognition of attainment of knowledge and skills in line with international comparability and recognition of training standards and qualification acquired.
Dr. Desai also stated that the government has plans by to set up at least one institution in every constituency so as to increase access and address equity issues in TVET institutions.
Addressing the same forum, the Bomet Senator thanked the government for the installation of Sh100 million agricultural value addition equipment at Konoin Technical Institute for the processing of milk, fruit juice and meat products.
“This small institution will not only produce quality products for the market, but it will also create employment for those who will work at the factory and those who will sell the end product,” Langat said.
On his part, the Konoin MP said through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) kitty, Sh2 million had been channeled to students at vocational training institutions in the constituency.
Yegon said technical institutions will also be used as assessment centres for those who have not had formal training but have gained experience through their technical work.
Meanwhile, the government has allocated Sh16.8 billion to upgrade infrastructural training equipment in 114 technical and vocational training institutions across the country.
By Joseph Obwocha
