The Taveta Vocational Training Centre will be transformed into a centre of excellence for the blue economy, Vocational and Technical Training PS Margaret Mwakima has said.
Mwakima said the institution will be among centres offering marine, fisheries, shipping and seafarers courses in the Coast region. She said the centre will serve students from the Coast region in a bid to spur the growth of the blue economy.
The donor funded project, Mwakima said, is meant to expand the infrastructure of the centre at the border town of Taveta and recruit more youths to undertake the new courses.
“The government is keen on tapping the lucrative blue economy industry. This will be made through training as many young people as possible to join the sector,” the PS said on Saturday.
She was speaking while commissioning the construction of hostels at Wumingu Technical and Vocational Training College in Wundanyi constituency.
Mwakima said the project which will cost Sh66 million, will help boost student numbers at the institution.
The PS further asked residents to take advantage of the vocational institutions in the county to study artisan courses which have high employability.
"We urge parents to bring their children to learn technical skills which will transform their lives. The skills offered in our facilities are highly marketable and at the same time provide an avenue for self-employment," Mwakima said.
TVET institutions, she said, are key in providing skills and knowledge that will be required as the government steers the country towards its Vision 2030 goal of being an industrialised middle-income economy.
Mwakima announced that Coast Institute of Technology in Voi will also be elevated to National polytechnic status as part of the government’s measures to enhance training on technical and vocational skills.
She said the elevation will make the institution a premium technical training institution that responds to industry needs for training technical human capital for the country and globally.
"This will give the institution a national outlook and enrol for higher diploma courses. It is part of realising the country’s Vision 2030," she added, pointing out that the government has committed huge resources to improve infrastructural development, equipping institutions and capacity building of the trainers.
Governor Andrew Mwadime stressed on the need for leaders to support education for the common goal of uplifting residents' livelihood.
"Our political supremacy battles don't add value to the lives of our people. I am committed to supporting education and offering servant leadership," said Mwadime who was accompanied by his deputy Christine Kilalo.
Legislators Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi), Hamisi Chome (Voi) and Taveta’s Bwire Okano pledged to support development of technical training centres in the region.
The MPs said they will support education initiatives in a bid to train as many youths as possible so that they can be self-reliant.
-Edited by SKanyara
