Nandi:More than 1,160 young people who have graduated from a vocational training program in Nandi County stand to benefit from employment opportunities within the county government. Governor Stephen Sang has pledged to prioritize these qualified trainees for available positions in healthcare and construction as the county expands its public services and infrastructure.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Sang emphasized the importance of vocational training translating into tangible employment opportunities for young people during the graduation ceremony of the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Free We-Can Academy at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex Ground. He instructed county officials to identify opportunities to absorb qualified graduates into the workforce, particularly with the expansion of healthcare facilities and increased demand for skilled personnel.
Governor Sang highlighted sectors such as roads, affordable housing, and markets as areas where technically trained young people could secure employment. He encouraged the graduates to utilize their skills to pursue employment, establish businesses, and achieve economic independence. The cohort of 1,160 graduates more than doubled the number of the inaugural class, and Sang predicted that future cohorts would attract even more participants.
The Governor also stressed the importance of market-driven training and urged graduates to complement their skills with formal certification to improve their competitiveness. He encouraged them to take advantage of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework provided by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) for assessing and certifying competencies acquired through informal training and practical experience.
Sang commended the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports for supporting vocational training initiatives and announced plans to allocate land in Kaptembwa for IYF to establish a permanent training institution. This would allow more young people to acquire vocational skills locally, avoiding the cost of traveling to Nairobi and other towns.
Additionally, Dr. Becky Omolo from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa praised the partnership between the county government and IYF, which has enabled young people to acquire practical skills without training fees. She urged graduates to view the training as a foundation for further education and invited them to consider further studies at the university.
Governor Sang also noted that ongoing national and county infrastructure projects would sustain demand for skilled workers in the future, urging young people to position themselves for these opportunities. He credited President William Ruto’s recent development tour of Nandi with attracting investments in various sectors, creating opportunities for local communities.
The Governor concluded by urging peace and tolerance as the country approaches the next General Election, advocating for issue-based campaigns and respect for differing political opinions.
