Labour PS Geoffrey Kaituko asks Turkana youth to join TVETs in bid to end joblessness

Geoffrey Kaituko, PS State Department of Labour and Skills Development. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

State Department of Labour and Skills Development PS Geoffrey Kaituko and leaders from Turkana County are collaborating to address the high rate of unemployment among youth through advocating for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Kaituko, who on Wednesday met leaders and youth from Kalemnyang, Lorugum, Kakuma, Kalokol and Eliye centres in Turkana, said that TVET institutions offer technical skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem) courses that are marketable.

"Skilled youth will be able to establish their own businesses or seek opportunities outside the county, instead of a sustained inward focus that has rendered many jobless and only surviving on handouts," the PS said.

Paul Jalinga, a youth leader, said the negative perception that TVET institutions are for people with poor academic capabilities was greatly contributing to low enrollment.

He called on the county and national government leaders to change the narrative and popularise TVETs as a lucrative education level.

"Those embracing TVET programs acquire employable skills within a short period of time than university programs and therefore entering the workforce sooner," he said.

Ms Leah Audan, County Education Executive, said she will rally youth to embrace TVETs so that they are equipped with relevant skills that will contribute to poverty reduction through self-employment.

KCB Foundation had partnered with Tullow Oil, a British Oil explorer, to enrol 265 youth from the county to TVET colleges in Kenya to train on carpentry, plumping and electrical.

Teddy Orachah, a senior manager at KCB Foundation, said 2jiajiri is a flagship program for the KCB Foundation that ensures that the youth are employable and can employ each other in efforts to address high levels of unemployment.