ELDORET National Polytechnic recently hosted a delegation from Busia county for a benchmarking tour
on technical and vocational education and training programmes aimed at
preparing youth for overseas employment.
The delegation was led by Teso North
MP Oku Kaunya, who met with chief principal Charles Koech to explore
opportunities for collaboration.
The polytechnic is recognised as a centre of
excellence in TVET, with Koech and the institution earning accolades for
delivering quality training. Over the past year, TENP has hosted more than 35
benchmarking delegations from across Kenya and beyond.
During the visit, Koech
reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to working with stakeholders, including
legislators like Kaunya, to enhance skills development and international
certification.
“We have wide training opportunities
that can extensively benefit our youth, ensuring they have the capacity to take
up emerging jobs locally and abroad,” Koech said.
MP Kaunya commended TENP for its
innovative training models and international partnerships that address labour
market needs. He noted that their visit focused on learning about TENP’s
experience with Australian qualifications and Recognition of Prior Learning programmes.
“TENP is ahead in TVET training and
that is why we are here—to learn and see how our youth from Busia can also
benefit,” Kaunya said.
The MP was accompanied by Lawrence
Ongati, principal of Chamasiri Technical and Vocational College, and
other officials. Ongati said the delegation had learned from TENP’s experience
in international qualifications and competency-based pathways, which could be
adapted to benefit more Kenyan youth.
Residents of Eldoret, led by
Benjamin Leting, Wilson Tum, and Betty Cherop, welcomed the new partnership
between TENP and the Busia team.
“We urge other MPs to emulate Kaunya
and support TENP so that available opportunities benefit more youth,” said
Leting, who praised Koech’s leadership and commitment to developing skills that
enable youth to access employment opportunities in Australia and elsewhere.
The delegation also acknowledged
Kenya’s envoy to Australia, Wilson Bett, for helping strengthen ties between
the two countries, particularly in supporting youth employment opportunities.
