Youth in Western Kenya have been called upon to embrace TVET training for them to get the necessary skills to enable them engage in productive activities that will get them self employment
Speaking after a meeting with parents and the youth at West Media studios on Wednesday 12th October, Mrs. Carolyne Mwende a researcher at the BBC Media Action – a program run by BBC Media Action in Kenya in collaboration with Youth in Action, called upon the youth to fully engage in training in various TVET centres in the region to help them acquire skills and build profitable careers.
Mrs. Mwende says the program is currently working hand in hand with West Fm and five other radio stations in the country to urge society to embrace technical training.
Through this program, West Fm airs a segment called Elimu Anuwai every Friday 6:45pm and Saturdays 6:45am focusing on the impact of TVET education in the community, highlighting success stories and getting expert analysis on various topics that concern TVET education.
She called upon parents in the region and the country at large to encourage their children take courses in TVET institutions because this is a venture that one can never get wrong after acquiring skills as it is a source of self employment.
The meeting was attended by youth and parents who all hailed the program, one Mrs. Monica Chepkech who studied Cosmotology and now practices Hair Dressing and Beauty said she actually studied the skill in a TVET institution and is proudly earning a living out of it.
Other youths who attended including Collins Simiyu, Koroti Ryan and others expressed delight on how serious TVET training was being taken, all saying it is time for these institutions to take centre stage in the development of the country through providing a skilled labour force.
Mr. Michael Malijambo said he studied Building and Construction in a TVET institution and is now seriously engaged in construction in Bungoma county, having ends meet. He called upon the youth and parents to fully embrace technical training.
The other Parents who attended including Mwanjoma Nyongesa, Agness Cheptekei, Wilkister Mungála and Eunice Mutanda all appreciated the impact that TVET training has in society, promising to engage other parents to take TVET education as serious training with the potential to change families and the larger community because of the wide range of opportunities that skilled young people from TVETs get.
