Naivasha: Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Josiah Odongo has expressed concern over the low enrollment rates at local technical training institutions, despite a growing demand for skilled labor. Odongo emphasized the importance of these institutions in providing necessary training and skills that could help local youths secure employment, particularly in sectors experiencing investment surge and construction booms in the area.
According to Kenya News Agency, Odongo highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities available at the Longonot technical training institution which continues to see low student turnout. To counter this, he has instructed local government administration officers, including chiefs and their assistants, to actively mobilize and sensitize eligible youths to take advantage of these opportunities.
Odongo pointed out that acquiring technical skills not only meets the current market demands but also opens up opportunities in government-led projects like the Affordable Housing initiativ
es. He expressed his concerns about the youths missing out on employment opportunities in emerging fields such as plumbing due to a lack of technical expertise.
The DCC also noted the recent deployment of 2,000 newly employed trainers to TVET institutions by the Ministry of Education, aimed at improving the trainer-student ratio and enhancing the quality of training. This move is part of a broader government initiative to increase enrollment in these institutions to one million students over the next five years, as announced by President Willam Ruto during the centennial celebration of TVET institutions in the country.
Furthermore, Odongo highlighted the economic growth potential from the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), which has issued licenses to several investors setting up operations in Naivasha. These investments are expected to create thousands of jobs, further emphasizing the need for a skilled workforce.
In addition to economic developments, Odongo reassured the public about the government
‘s preparedness for the upcoming national exams and warned against the dissemination of fake exam materials. He also commended the Nakuru County government’s Uji feeding program, which aims to improve school attendance rates among lower primary students.
This multi-faceted approach by Odongo and the local government underscores a significant push towards enhancing technical education and job readiness among youths in Naivasha, aligning educational outcomes with local economic and developmental goals.