Fredrick Odiero
The Rotary Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in Kisumu is set for bigger things after Kisumu governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o elevated the institution.
Centre manager Gladys Akinyi said that the institution, which is attached to the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), currently has a student population of over 800 from the initial 100.
She revealed that the numbers increased within a span of four months.
Rotary VTC offers courses like food and beverage, building and mechanical engineering, garments and design, hairdressing and plumbing, fabrication and appropriate carpentry.
‘There is a growing demand for artisan courses at the institution. Our institution has an ICT section as well and we are about to introduce driving courses,’ she said.
Akinyi revealed that Rotary VTC is currently the only institution offering artisan certificates in solar photo voltaic technology.
‘Our institution recruits form four leavers and even those with lower qualifications are not locked out.’ She revealed.
The manager said that they intend to be a center of excellence among institutions offering artisan courses and will be developing linkages with other institutions of higher learning.
‘Talks are ongoing between us and Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology,” she added.
Akinyi revealed that with the help of the students, the institution put up a Shs 1.2 million modern gate and that the students are also helping in putting up a perimeter wall.
She pointed out that plans are underway to construct a dormitory which will house 200 students.
Akinyi explained that some students have been allowed to report to school with their children since many mothers cannot concentrate in school when they leave their children at home.
She revealed that through the leadership of Prof Nyong’o, the county government had sponsored some 400 students into the institution.
‘Students only pay Shs 20,000 while the county government pays the rest,’ she said.
Governor Nyong’o said that the objective of the ICT centre at the institution is to provide an enabling environment that fosters innovation and incubation among the youth.
The initiative was jointly fulfilled by Nyong’o’s administration and the World Bank, through the Kenya Urban Support Programme.
Prof Nyong’o says it will encourage the young population to develop homegrown solutions to challenges bedeviling the county.
According to him, the increasingly disruptive business environment has made governments and businesses across the globe to rethink their innovation strategies.
‘Many organizations have come to the realization that the only way to survive is to change consistently and constantly adapt to new conditions, while hedging long-term success not only on their ability to leverage current capabilities, but also on taking risks and exploring unknown areas through innovation’ He said.
The governor said that the centre presents an enabling environment for the youth to improve their competency through skills development using technology and creativity.
‘Since the youth are the greatest resources and assets for a country’s socio economic development, it is important that their energy, creativity and strength are properly channeled to contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth and competitiveness in light of the changing labour market,” he said.
He further said the establishment of a business hub is critical in connecting young people to sustainable income-generating opportunities as well as creating avenues for them to grow as job creators and responsible leaders.
Rotary VTC was started as Kisumu Rotary Youth Polytechnic in the early 1960s by the Rotarians. It admitted the first batch of students in 1965.
Currently, the VTC has a dedicated staff of 12 trainers and three support workers.
