Tujiajiri program kicks off in Elgeyo Marakwet

Iten

Thursday, July 27, 2023

KNA by Alice Wanjiru

The Tujiajiri Youth Empowerment Program has kicked off with hundreds of youth undertaking various technical courses in a number of Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in the county. 

According to the County Director for Sports and Youth Affairs Mr Mike Mosi, the Sh30 million scholarship program which is being funded by the County Government and Kenya Commercial Bank KCB Foundation at Sh15 million each has benefited at least 500 youth.  

Mosi said the Tujiajiri scholarship program will not only pay school fees for the beneficiaries but will also buy tool kits for the most successful students to enable them to start practicing once they graduate.

Speaking in Iten, Iten Vocational Training Centre Manager Mr Mark Kilimo whose institution received 100 slots said all the learners reported for studies this term. 

The VCT with a current student population of 470 offers a wide range of artisan courses including welding, motor vehicle technology, hairdressing, tailoring and dressmaking, and Information and Communication Technology ICT among others.

Kilimo said the trainees are examined by credible examination bodies such as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), adding certificates from the two bodies can enable one secure employment anywhere even outside the country. 

"The NITA and KNEC certificates are recognized by employment bureaus both locally and internationally. In fact, we have our former students who have been able to secure jobs overseas," Kilimo said. 

Though a good number of the students graduating from polytechnics have been venturing into self-employment after acquiring skills, Kilimo said some of them have sought jobs outside Kenya.  

Kilimo said Iten VCT has the capacity to equip the learners with the necessary skills required to use to start up their own businesses upon completion of the studies.  

A Gender Officer in the program Ms Purity Kiptoo said three special students were earmarked to benefit from the scholarship and were expected to join Kapsabet School for the Deaf but only one has reported. 

Mr John Maritim from the Directorate of Planning and Budgeting challenged Iten Polytechnic to commence a massive branding of the institution saying learners at the centre had already demonstrated capacity. 

"In fact, those learners in the garment industry should start designing clothes and selling to county officials. This can be a starting point while departments in the county should promote the products done by our students," said Maritim. 

Courtesy ; K. N. A