By Hilton Mwabili
A Turkish Company, Eurofix, has partnered with National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and National Construction Authority (NCA) to train over 20,000 personnel in TVET sector with modern skills and technology.
Eurofix General Manager Patrick Taranu said over the years, Kenya’s construction industry has been chocked by inefficiencies resulting from reliance on unskilled workforce, noting the program intends to address the shortfalls at once.
The partnership is especially intended to address and improve skills in tiling, masonry works, interior and exterior decoration, plastering, interior and exterior modern skills to meet international acceptable standards.
“Currently we cannot export skilled labour in construction outside Kenya because we don’t have the right skills that meet internationally acceptable standards and we believe that this is now the platform to upgrade our youths by equipping them with skills so that they can go out there confidently and compete in the job market,” said Taranu.
According to the manager the skill upgrade and technology will focus on usage of proper material and right equipment which are cost effective and at the same time achieving quality.
“One of the areas that the skill upgrade focuses on is in the material. For example you will realize that most masons still use cement in almost every part of their construction and this is why most structures don’t last for long. This is also why we have cases of building collapse and tiles debonding. In this new technology the trainees will be introduced to use of adhesive for attaching drywall, tile, molding, and fixtures to walls, ceilings, and floors. This is cost effective since it is cheaper than usage of cement,” he said.
He said the first batch of over 200 trainee masons had already started their skill upgrade training at the NITA institute in Mombasa in January , this being the initial training targeting over 1,000 beneficiaries in county alone.
“We believe this partnership will build the capacity and the skills to meet the international standards,” Taranu said.
After Mombasa, he said, the trainings will extend to Nairobi, Kwale, Kisumu, Nakuru, Marsabit,,Kitui, Meru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kisii, and Nyeri among other major towns to achieve the targeted 20,000 workforce.
According to Taranu the first batch of trainees was provided with startup tool kit by Eurofix to make their work productive and quality.
On his part Industrial training officer at NITA Eric Abok acknowledged that the training programme will be a game changer to the construction industry and workforce.
The partnership was initiated by the former Labour Cabinet Secretary who is currently the Treasury CS Ukur Yatani as part of NITA upgrade aimed at churning out a workforce that is efficient, productive and attractive to the market.
