Kirinyaga: Kirinyaga Central Technical and Vocational College (TVC) deputy principal, Purity Karimi, has advised youths in Kirinyaga County to prioritize pursuing technical courses before opening businesses or engaging in side hustles in their early years of life. The deputy principal asserted that technical training would equip them with the vital skills, knowledge, and certification that can sustain them both in the informal or formal sectors.
According to Kenya News Agency, Karimi called upon the parents to guide their children who just completed their secondary school education to delay starting businesses in their early years of life but to instead enroll them for courses in technical institutions. Speaking at Kamuiru Boys High School during a National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) bursary disbursement ceremony, she noted it is first better to have skills and valid certification so that one is ready for a wide range of opportunities in the future. She added the courses will help the youth in navigating the market effectively and succeed in both employment and entrepreneurship.
‘Don’t take your form four leavers to be employed in the market or start a business for them; enroll them for a course so that they have a certificate while doing other things. When opportunity knocks they should be ready,’ Ms. Karimi said. She informed the parents that Kirinyaga Central TVC, among other colleges, is well equipped, offering quality training like other national polytechnics, dismissing the misplaced notions where parents prefer to take their children to specific institutions, some unnecessarily too far away.
Ms. Karimi encouraged them to take advantage of the local TVCs with well-trained tutors, urging the parents to make inquiries and get guidance on the various courses offered in the TVCs. ‘I know some parents want to take their children to the national polytechnic, but here in Kirinyaga, which is near we offer the same courses, we have equipment and we have qualified trainers. Take a step to visit us for inquiries on what we offer,’ she added.
She recognized the support from the National government and NG-CDF in infrastructure development, as the college will soon construct a new tuition block and hostels, which are key in reducing student mobility while undergoing training. Kirinyaga Central TVC was among the institutions which received a lion’s share of this year’s bursaries and the students are also eligible for loans through the New Higher Education Funding Model and even scholarships.
The deputy principal challenged those who have skills to enroll for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certificate, which recognizes skills and knowledge gained through experience, informal education, or training that may not be formally documented. ‘We also offer RPL certificates for those who have skills. You will get interviewed and once successful receive a certificate recognized by the government,’ she noted.
Kirinyaga County Education Quality Assurance and Standards Officer Dr. Jacinta Mutisya challenged the parents to play their role and not rely fully on assistance from the government, especially in raising the little amount of fees required.