Ongoing industrialisation and infrastructural development has created numerous employment opportunities.
To harness this surge in demand, youth in Kirinyaga county have been encouraged to enrol in plant operating courses to bridge the gap in the construction sector both in Kenya and internationally.
Joseph Kimemia, principal of Gichugu Technical and Vocational Training Institute, highlighted the shortage of qualified plant operators.
He noted that despite the increasing demand for such jobs, many employers struggle to find suitable candidates.
Kimemia attributes this to limited awareness of career opportunities in the field and a lack of comprehensive training programmes that equip individuals with the necessary skills to operate heavy machinery safely and efficiently.
"This means the sector has significant opportunities for those seeking stable and rewarding employment," Kimemia said.
He spoke during the launch of a new plant operation course designed to address the skills gap in the sector.
The institution will offer this three-month course in partnership with Machere Driving School, which will provide the machinery for training.
Kimemia announced that his institution is the only one in the county offering this course and urged local youths to enrol.
"We have partnered with the private institution after realising that there’s a high number of local youths who have been visiting us seeking to be trained on plant operation but we’d end up sending them away," he explained.
He emphasised that construction is one of the most thriving sectors in the country, generating a huge demand for technical skills.
While leaders have encouraged youths to pursue technical courses, Kimemia pointed out that popular choices like plumbing and masonry often overshadow others, such as plant operation. However, he believes this could be an advantage for those who choose the latter.
"With the government’s efforts to connect Kenyans with jobs abroad, youths undertaking this course will stand out because it’s not as popular as the rest," he added.
Since 2022, the government has sent over 200,000 youths abroad for various jobs, following bilateral agreements with several countries to facilitate overseas employment.
Samuel Murage, manager of Machere Driving School, noted that this partnership will make the course more accessible to youths who previously had to travel to distant institutions for training.
"My plea is to parents with youths idling at home to encourage them to enrol for this course now that it’s available," Murage said.
