Nandi:Nandi Women Representative Cynthia Muge has emphasized the need for increased investment in technical and vocational training to provide young people and current workers with essential practical skills.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muge spoke at a graduation ceremony at Kaiboi National Polytechnic in Mosop Sub County. The event celebrated beneficiaries of an upskilling training program organized by the Tourism Fund in collaboration with the institution. Muge highlighted that practical skills acquisition is vital for improving livelihoods and strengthening the local economy.
She noted the significance of the graduation as a milestone for those who have gained valuable work experience in the tourism and hospitality industry but lacked formal certification. Muge encouraged the graduates to use their newly acquired skills to enhance service quality and explore self-employment opportunities.
Muge also stressed the role of technical and vocational education institutions like Kaiboi National Polytechnic in preparing trainees for the evolving labor market. She advocated for skills development as a means of empowering women and young people economically.
The MP urged the graduates to leverage their skills to establish businesses, seek employment, and create opportunities for others, rather than relying solely on formal employment. She pointed out the potential of the tourism and hospitality industry to generate jobs and income with proper support through skills development and investment.
Furthermore, Muge observed that the hospitality industry is constantly evolving, requiring workers to adapt to new technologies and changing customer expectations. She highlighted Nandi County’s untapped tourism potential, which could significantly contribute to the local economy if supported by quality services and a skilled workforce.
Muge encouraged tourism stakeholders to collaborate with training institutions to align courses with industry needs. She emphasized the importance of programs that recognize and certify the practical skills of experienced workers, enabling them to gain formal recognition without undergoing traditional training.
Finally, Muge urged the graduates to be ambassadors of professionalism, using their knowledge to improve customer service and uphold high standards in the hospitality industry. Improved services, she explained, would not only benefit individual businesses but also enhance the county’s appeal to visitors and investors.
