Education stakeholders have expressed concerns over the low uptake of technical courses by youths in Uasin Gishu County.
Led by Koshin Technical Training Institute (KTTI) Principal Zipporah Kuto, the stakeholders lament that despite the huge investments that the government has put in the institutions, the enrolment was still low.
Kuto gave an example of the TTI located in Moiben Sub County which she noted despite having the capacity to host up to 2,500 students, it only has 500 students.
“We have facilities in terms of structures, equipment, gadgets and experienced trainers but we have few students. We need and ask parents to bring the students to learn here,” she noted.
The Koshin Technical Training Institute offers training in four departments – Building and Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics, Information Communication Technology as well as Agriculture Business, and Liberal Studies.
Self-employment
Some of the facilities at the TTI include electric and electronic workshops, building and civil workshops, ICT-made computer labs, and Agricultural land where students practice.
According to the Principal, the four courses give a student skills that enable him/her to immediately start earning a living after graduating even with a certificate.
“Currently, the government is encouraging students to do technical courses which give them immediate jobs such as plumbing, building technology, agriculture, food and beverage, Fashion, and design,” she noted.
For the last few years, the government has been working on setting up Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) in each of the 290 constituencies, even as it seeks to ensure the country has a sufficient workforce to drive its manufacturing agenda.
“Youths should pursue technical courses to get skills and knowledge that will help them earns a living. We urge youths to come and join our institute for them to get skills,” added Philomen Saina, Koshin TTI Deputy Principal.
Similar sentiments were shared by Moiben Member of Parliament Prof. Phyllis Bartoo.
Current job market
Prof. Bartoo speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations at the KTTI challenged the youth to join technical institutions.
She also asked parents to consider enrolling their children on technical institutions where she said they will get skills that are in high demand in the current job market.
“Technical skills enable one to be self-employed if they do not get employed,” noted the MP.
The legislators challenged the locals to take advantage of the government initiative that has been providing loans to students joining technical institutions.
“It is sad that we have very low enrolment to our technical institutions yet the government is giving Ksh30,000 per student and the balance one can apply for HELB. Let us take advantage and apply for the technical courses,” the MP said.
Further, she promised to link graduates from technical courses in the constituency with contractors working on key construction projects in the constituency.
