PS
The government will start accrediting artisans who have acquired their skills without having attended formal training, Principal Secretary, Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Dr. Esther Muoria has said.
Dr Muoria said thousands of artisans have perfected their skills without having formal training and should be accredited to give them a competitive edge when vouching for opportunities and tenders.
Speaking during the Thika Technical Training Institute (TTI) graduation ceremony that was attended by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a Saturday, the PS said the artisans will be assessed by experts in the industry as well as technical staff and then certified.
“What we will be looking for is whether you have the technical skills. Even if you answer the questions in your vernacular, we shall translate. We shall only be interested in your technical capabilities. You shall be tested by the experts and if you pass, you will be certified as professionals,” Dr Muoria said.
She called on the artisans who have the skills gained outside the classroom to take advantage of this opportunity and walk to TTIs for assessment. She said the move would help the country industrialize, since there are thousands of uncertified artisans who, if well supported, can drive the industrialization agenda and create jobs.
Dr Muoria at the same time said they are working on a policy of ensuring safety of Kenyans working abroad.”In whichever country you will go to work, we have put structures for your safety through policy frameworks and working closely with the host country,” the PS said.
She also announced plans to decongest the Thika TTI by constructing a new technical training college in Thika constituency. The Thika TTI currently has more than 16,000 learners. Ms Ng’ang’a welcomed the decongestion initiative, saying it will go a long way towards creating jobs for hundreds of youths leaving school.
She said she has relentlessly pursued the establishment of the new college to be known as Makongeni Technical Institute and hailed the PS for the gesture. Over 3,000 trainees graduated with diplomas and certificates in various technical fields including electrical engineering, mechanics, welding and plumbing.