Students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have been urged to embrace and improve their research and innovation skills to fully benefit from government funding and initiatives.
Speaking during a skills and innovation week at Meru National Polytechnic, (TVET) Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Esther Mworia said that the government was keen on supporting budding researchers and innovators through programmes such as the Jitume Labs programme.
“I also wish to urge companies, industries and individuals to provide hand-holding and mentorship to student innovators. Kenya is looking up to skilled youth to push the technical industry to the next level,” she said.
Dr. Mworia gave an example of how Interior Design trainees can research on use of gypsum and other technologies, tiling and painting, skills which will have an immense market in the upcoming national housing project and other government initiatives.
She said TVET institutions should produce students who are competent with industry-required skills, ready to work or venture into entrepreneurship.
The PS said the Polytechnic has the potential to provide skilled human capital with skills relevant to the industry.
Dr. Mworia disclosed that the government is set to receive equipment worth Ksh9 billion from China which will improve hands-on training in TVET colleges.
By John Majau
Get more stories from our website: Education News
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
