The Makueni government has partnered with KCB Foundation to train 750 youth under the 2jiajiri programme.
The programme aims at equipping the youth with knowledge and skills in masonry, plumbing, welding, dressmaking, food and beverages, and electrical wiring.
Education executive Joshua Wambua on Friday said the programme will enable the youth to be self-reliant.
He said 300 youths will undergo training at Wote Technical Training Institute. The remaining 450 will be distributed to the Carbon Career and Training Institutes in the six subcounties.
“The programme started last month and is expected to take one year. Trainees are required to pay a commitment fee of Sh2,000, while the county government and KCB Foundation will cater for tuition and exam fees,” Wambua said.
He said after course work, the trainees will proceed for a three-month industrial internship organised by the respective learning institutes for a hands-on experience.
The executive said on completion of the training, youth who will venture into self-employment will be given loans by KCB Foundation to start their businesses.
In addition, 120 youths from the county will benefit from advanced ICT training, which will be sponsored by the county government.
County ICT director Cecilia Mutua said the programme dubbed Tusomeei ComputerNduani will equip the youth with skills that make them more employable.
Mutua said the youth will be enrolled at Wote Technical Training Institute on full-board basis with full scholarship for three weeks.
She added that beneficiaries will be trained on web design, computer hardware and software, computer networks and graphics design.
The ICT director encouraged the youth, especially those living with disability, to take advantage of the initiative.
