- CS Erick Muuga has urged Kenyans to sensitise youth on the importance of skilled labour to boost TVET enrolment.
- The government has employed over 100,000 new teachers in the last five years and has recruited more than 5,000 TVET trainers.
- Muuga has praised youth participating in the “Kazi ya Majuu” programme for contributing to the economy through foreign exchange earnings.
Kenyans have been challenged to educate and sensitise the youth on the important and critical role skilled labour plays in getting jobs, to enable youth to embrace technical institutions before enrolling.
Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Erick Muuga said skilled labour is given priority when seeking jobs in Kenya and abroad. He called on both leaders and residents of various communities to hold regular forums meant to convince the youth to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, noting that many regions have a single technical institution despite having many schools in the neighbourhood.
The CS insisted that skilled labour in the country is scarce, specifically in mechanics, tailoring, masonry and engineering, forcing many Kenyans to seek assistance from strangers.
Speaking during Kaelo TVC’s inaugural graduation ceremony in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County, he urged all education stakeholders to work harmoniously to ensure the youth embrace TVET institutions. “I am an engineer, but when my car breaks down, I must look for a mechanic since repairing vehicles is not my profession. That is why I am challenging leaders and residents to do more by sensitising the community on the importance of skilled labour. This will automatically lead to improved enrolment,” said the Water CS.
He regretted that despite the Nyambene region, which comprises five constituencies, having several schools in the locality, only a few youth enrol for TVET courses. He challenged both leaders and residents to rise to the occasion by improving the enrolment and population of such colleges, since it would economically transform the region. “A schooling journey starts with many distractions, doubters and non-believers who do not even think you will earn the certificate after studying,” he said.
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The CS lauded education stakeholders in the area, including parents, trainers, clergy and residents, for their immense sacrifice of resources and time in enabling the graduands to finally put a smile on their faces.
Muuga said that in the last five years, the government has employed more than 100,000 new teachers, describing it as an unprecedented record over the last 20 years. He added that the government is set to employ more than 5,000 trainers who have already been recruited.
He said technical skills hold the key to the future of the country’s economy, since they are present in all spheres of the common man’s life, including engineering, mechanics, tailoring, masonry and carpentry. “Many originally doubted the value of skills to the youth. You are the future employers because you control almost all the spheres of life, including mechanics, tailoring, masonry, engineering and carpentry. They all directly affect citizens. You are the real doers,” he said.
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He advised the youth to embrace the “Kazi ya Majuu” programme initiated by the government, citing its financial and social benefits. CS Muuga lauded youth who have already gone abroad under the “Kazi ya Majuu” programme, noting that they are helping enhance the country’s economy through the foreign exchange they earn. “Those who have joined the ‘Kazi ya Majuu’ programme are the citizens helping our economy to grow through the foreign exchange and the inflow of dollar reserves. You are the future of this country. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise,” he said.
He challenged them to be the country’s ambassadors by showcasing their skills in order to earn for themselves and the country the much-needed foreign exchange.
By John Majau
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