Hundreds of youths from Uasin Gishu are set to benefit from a training and work programme through a partnership between the county and Finland.
Governor Jackson Mandago on Tuesday flagged off the first batch of 51 students, who are to travel to Finland on Wednesday for the study-work programme in the Finish city of Tampere.
Of the 51 youth, 25 will study for a degree in nursing and 26 for a diploma at the Tampere University of Applied Sciences.
Several other youths will follow to benefit from the same programme.
The partnership seeks to produce qualified health personnel for international labour market while at the same time addressing youth unemployment.
The programme was initiated as a result of an agreement between Mandago and the Finish government.
"Remember you are the pioneers this program therefore, make it count as future partnerships will largely depend on you,” Mandago told the group.
The governor said the training was timely as it would help the county to upgrade its healthcare capacity.
"Go there and be our ambassadors. However, make it your first assignment to understand the laws, general ways of life of the people in your new home."
Mandago advised the youth to prioritise their studies, underlining that it is the primary reason for their being there.
"Work hard and do very well. Sacrifice and prove that you actually deserved the chance by ensuring that classwork comes first,” he said.
Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno said Finland, like any other country, has a unique way of life and its laws may not be like those in Kenya.
"Work to know their do's and dont's so you may live harmoniously there," Chemno said.
Several hundreds of Elgeyo Marakwet students are also in Finland receiving nursing training and job opportunities in a similar five-year partnership with the European country.
The first group of 25 students benefitting from the initiative arrived in Finland in November last year.
Governor Alex Tolgos had also negotiated with the city of Tempere. Students will be trained at the third largest university in Finland.
“We are happy this partnership has taken off so well and over the years it will benefit many of our youth who will get training and job opportunities while out there," Tolgos said.
Tolgos said the objective of the programme was to not only to train but also to explore employment opportunities abroad.
"I appreciate the parents and guardians of these students because they took a leap of faith and embraced the partnership when others were criticising it through social media," Governor Tolgos said.
The partnership will see more students travel to Finland. The city of Tempere will host the students and offer jobs after training.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
