Youth in Kajiado County have been urged to enroll in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) centres so as to gain skills that will enable them to become self-employed rather than waiting for limited white collar jobs.
National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK), Kajiado County Coordinating Committee Chairperson, Bishop Francis Mpidaki, said technical courses enable one to gain skills that are relevant in the current job market.
Some of the courses being offered include masonry, carpentry, food processing technology, building Technology, plumbing, tailoring, motor vehicle mechanic, ICT, saloon and beauty therapy, welding among others.
The cleric said many young people remain unemployed because of pursuing college and university courses that are not compatible with the job market.
“Lack of information on the job market, lack of career guidance and skills for a particular job has led to students taking courses which are not marketable, hence the high rate of unemployment in the country,” Mpidaki said.
The Bishop urged candidates who did not qualify for university in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE) to take advantage of the government sponsored TVET courses.
He lauded the government for supporting technical colleges by offering partial scholarships and financial aid through the Higher Education Loans Board. (HELB).
“We encourage students to pursue technical courses to enable them gain skills necessary for self-employment,” he said.
Bishop Mpidaki further called upon parents and religious leaders to initiate educative programs to mentor students and pupils during their school break.
By Rop Janet
