- Busia County has stepped up preparations for the launch of the Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST) O6 Programme.
- The county will also host a series of TVET Open House Forums to showcase investments in vocational training.
- Officials say the initiative will strengthen skills development, boost enrolment and support Kenya’s blue economy.
The County Government of Busia has intensified preparations for the official launch of the Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST) O6 Programme and a series of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Open House Forums aimed at showcasing investments in skills development across the county.
Preparations gathered pace on Friday after the Department of Education and Industrial Skills Development held a high-level planning meeting led by the County Executive Committee Member for Education and Industrial Skills Development, Beatrice Nakholi.
The meeting brought together senior departmental officials and the KBEST O6 Project Coordinator at Namasali Vocational Training Centre to finalise arrangements for the milestone events.
According to the county government, the Open House Forums will highlight major investments in technical training, modern learning facilities and newly constructed workshops designed to strengthen practical skills development.
The first phase of the programme will be held on July 8 at Namasali Vocational Training Centre and Bumbe National Polytechnic, where newly completed workshops will also be officially commissioned.
Busia Vocational Training Centre will host its Open House Forum on July 9.
County officials said the events will give prospective trainees, parents, industry stakeholders and members of the public an opportunity to interact with trainers, explore available courses and witness the progress made in upgrading vocational training institutions.
Strengthening the blue economy
The KBEST O6 Programme is being implemented through a partnership involving the Government of Kenya, the Government of Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).
The initiative aims to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training by promoting competency-based, industry-driven skills development aligned with labour market demands, particularly in sectors supporting the blue economy.
The launch is expected to attract senior officials from the national and county governments, representatives of the Canadian High Commission, development partners, education stakeholders and community leaders.
Education officials expressed optimism that the Open House Forums will boost enrolment in vocational training institutions while demonstrating Busia County’s commitment to producing a skilled workforce capable of supporting economic growth and Kenya’s expanding blue economy.
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The county has continued investing in modern TVET infrastructure and skills training programmes as part of its strategy to equip young people with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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