By Andanje Wakhungu
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (EPRA) has donated digital literacy devices worth Ksh.3Million to St Teresa Isanjiro polytechnic in Malava Sub County.
As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) mandate to contribute towards sustainable development by supporting educational programmes, the regulator’s Director General David Kiptoo Bargoria said EPRA was out to assist vocational colleges through such donations as they were the consumers of the blue collar jobs.
“We are here today to donate 50 computers to this county polytechnic as we know they are hands on in training students who end up being employed by us and this gesture is just part of what we do in CSR besides environmental rehabilitation among others”
He said technical and vocational training was key in the country’s economic growth and that the donations were part of its initiative to digitize the students as the world was becoming a global village.
The organization hailed the county government for its efforts to set up county polytechnics in each ward to enable students who do not make it to universities to undertake technical courses at the institutions
“The demand for these blue collar jobs is high even as the job market shifts in favour of STEM and it calls for increased investment in young people to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to keep up with the ever-evolving technology within the globe,” he said.
The Director said by supporting technical skills training, they were also equipping the youths with practical and necessary skills that will not only enable them to secure employment but also help them to be self-employed. This is a sustainable way of empowering them to contribute positively to the economy and society.
He concluded by thanking the management of the institution for partnering with them on the initiative and for their efforts to equip young people with the appropriate skills needed to grow the digital economy.
On his part the St. Teresa’s Malava Vocational Training Centre Principal, Boniface Mukabwa, confirmed that they had emerged as the winner out of seven proposed TVET institutions that applied for the equipment donation and lauded the authority for honoring its proposal.
“We are delighted to receive these machines and we will put them in good use by offering training, repairs and maintenance courses as part of preparing our students to the hands on job market outside,” he said.
The principal appreciated the organization’s efforts to ensure that the institution benefits from this initiative as it meets several technical qualifications including demonstrating a resource gap for ICT equipment and being inclusive in their enrolment and operations.
The Kakamega county executive committee member (CECM) Godfrey Owour said by the regulator donating the ICT equipment, not only supports the training of the youth but also helps to reduce electronic waste and promotes responsible environmental practices.
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