Garissa County vocational training centre on Friday received assorted training equipment worth Sh.6.5 million from Agha Khan Foundation.
The donation consisting of sewing machines, salon and beauty therapy equipment, computers and other items were received during the graduation ceremony of 100 students.
The Garissa County assembly majority leader, Mohamed Gabow who was the chief guest thanked the Agha Khan foundation for their support.
The donation is part of the foundation’s social economic opportunities for youth program.
Gabow said that the county assembly was in the process of developing a bill regulating the vocational centers management and quality standards.
“The bill intends to spearhead the public private partnership as an impetus for growth and development in Training and Vocation Educational Training institutes,” Gabow said.
He said acquiring technical skills was a sure way to end unemployment for the youth and women in Garissa County.
Gabow called for more efforts and donor support in mobilization, sensitization and retention of the local youth.
“Most of our local youth are leaving this town to elsewhere seeking opportunities. We need to sensitize them on the need to acquire skills and initiate small scale business that will boost the economic growth of this town,” he added.
The Education CEC, Habiba Nasib appealed to partner organization to support the youth who graduated from vocational trainings to get the necessary support and start small scale businesses.
She urged women to challenge men in acquiring technical skills in electrical and mechanical sector.
The Trade CEC, Adow Jubat told graduates to apply for the Youth, Women and Disability revolving fund that was now almost complete as final touches to make organization structures at Sub County level was ongoing.
By Jacob Songok
