Hundreds of youths in Laikipia county are seeking the support to acquire technical skills to help them face the future with courage and determination. As the youth account for 70 percent of the population in the county, Joyce Wangui Mwangi is reaching out to well-wishers for engagement focusing on the introduction of short courses.
According to the 2019 National Population Census Laikipia county has 518,560 residents.
Wangui, a community leader in Thingithu ward in Nanyuki town said the youth require empowerment through short courses in plumbing, beauty, hospitality, agribusiness, among others. She said there is a need for youth to be registered detailing their interest.
“The youth should get the right advice in career choice to help them identify the best course,” said Wangui. She added that there was a need to equip the youth with skills to help cope with the increased cost of living. She affirmed that youth have potential thus need to have the mentors to support them in the acquisition of skills and talents.
” After they are through with the training, they will be exhibiting their products to help market them locally and internationally,” said Wangui. Monica Njoroge lauded the initiative by Wangui saying it will give the youth a relief as they will secure employment saying the plumbing is among the course in high demand due to the increased construction of houses and business premises in the country
Ms Njoroge said it was necessary for the leadership at all levels to initiate programmes that will empower the youth.
” The young need support as we have others experienced in technical courses but lack certificates to prove their competence in the trades,” said Njoroge. James Mwangi Wambui a resident of Nanyuki town said the youth require support to venture in agribusiness venture owing to the high potential.
Impacting the youth with skills, he said, will lead them to self-employment through innovation, and safeguard them from involvement in teenage pregnancies, crime, mental health among other challenges. ” We are eying for support to ensure our youth instead of being idle in the villages are involved in food production,” said Wambui.