The county government of Kisumu has established 27 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in the past 15 years, governor Anyang Nyong’o has said.
Nyong’o was speaking after he officially commissioned the construction of Lela VTC in Kisumu County where he announced that his administration will establish at least one institution per Ward to bring technical training closer to residents.
“We plan to open two more – Waware in Masogo/Nyang’oma and Path Othany in East Seme,” he added.
He revealed that they have so far spent approximately Ksh 206 million in capitation grants adding that they are committed to increase the allocation.
“We urge the youth to enroll in VTCs since the county guarantees partial fee payment of Ksh 15,000,” he said.
He lauded the Lela Primary school management committee for donating the piece of land on which the foundation stone was laid.
According to the governor, the VTC is the 4th in the greater Nyando sub county and the very first in the recently established Kadibo sub county.
Nyong’o said the project shall be complete by end of June this year adding that the department will closely monitor the progress and ensure that quality work is done.
He said the venture calls for sensitization and mobilization of the youth and the community at large to be fully aware of the courses to be offered including Artisan Courses Grade III, II & I ranging from six months to one year up to Grade III leading to NITA exams and Artisan Certificate taking 2 years leading to KNEC exams.
On the policy on management of VTCs, he said his officers are working on the domestication of the Vocational, Education and Training (VET) policy to address Kisumu-specific issues.
Once this is done, Nyong’o indicated that they expect a paradigm shift in operations in the sector, key among them the transformation of centres into production units for self-sustainability.
The governor added that his government has piloted the establishment of baby care centres in 5 VTCs to enable teen mothers access to quality training.
By Fredrick Odiero
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