Three hundred County sponsored students set to benefit from for skills training in their areas of specialization have today reported at the Masai Technical Training College, MTTI, Kajiado.
The pioneer students who have been drawn from the different wards of the County will be enrolled in technical courses at the institution with the hope of raising the number of beneficiaries to 1000 by the end of the year and 5000 in the next four years.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said that the youth need to be given such opportunities to be empowered and productive in nation building rather than leaving them to seek cash handouts for survival.
“I am aware that unemployment and poverty have made the youth idle and susceptible to vices since they have limited opportunities to progress and better themselves,” he said.
Ole Lenku reiterated that The Big Four agenda on housing, security, affordable healthcare and manufacturing can only be achieved through youth empowerment and skilled manpower.
The Governor committed to strengthen the liaison office of the County Government to ensure placement of the students for internship and possible placement in employment upon successful completion of their industrial attachment.
On his part, the Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho encouraged the students to take advantage of this rare opportunity to study hard to become entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
“It is unfortunate that we have populated our training institution with learners pursuing social sciences at the expense of technical skills,” said Moshisho.
He intimated that the County Government and upcoming industries in the County were seeking to tap work force from skilled youths in the technical institution in a trend that is putting emphasis on technical capabilities rather than knowledge.
The National Government was represented by County Commissioner David Kipkemei who pledged to support the youth empowerment program whose model he said was worth emulating countrywide since it enumerated the ideals of the Big Four agenda being fronted by the Jubilee Administration.
Some of you will employ your classmates, but you have to take the initiative to focus on your studies,” he quipped.
Also present was the area MCA Samuel Teum who lauded the program for being all inclusive by encompassing different faces of the County and the disabled adding that the County leadership was committed to ensure that the students get hostels in due time.
His sentiments were echoed by the CECM, Youth,Sports, Gender and Social Services Alvin Kamani who said the four phased program hopes to mold technical experts skilled and ready for the job market.
The KCB Foundation has been a key partner in this flagship program that seeks to create jobs and wealth through targeted skills development in the informal sector.
