A number of young people are set to benefit from technical and vocational education scholarships under new road projects.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is implementing the multinational Bagamoyo – Horohoro/Lunga Lunga – Malindi Project, Phase 1: Mombasa – Mtwapa – Kilifi (A7) section financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and a grant from the European Union (EU).
In addition, KeNHA is implementing Lot 1: Mombasa –Kwa Jomvu under financing from the African Development Bank. Provision of technical and vocational education and training of unemployed youth is a common component in the above-mentioned road projects.
“The training aims at equipping vulnerable youth within the project areas with skills for gainful work and social sustainability. The training targets youth from the counties of Kwale, Mombasa and Kilifi where the projects traverse,” KeNHA said in a public notice.
The highways authority said the beneficiaries must be aged between 18 and 35 years with no formal training at diploma level or above.
They must be able to read and write with KCSE or KCPE exam certificates or those who may have dropped out of school with no formal training.
KeNHA said applicants from low income families and those living in informal settlements within the counties traversed by the project road will be considered.
“Preference will be given to youth who are orphaned and/or those from single parenthood families, young single mothers who meet the qualifications,” KeNHA said, adding that those categorised as persons living with disability will be considered.
Under the scholarship, courses will be offered at Christian Industrial Training Center– Mombasa, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic– Mombasa, Mtongwe Vocational Training Centre – Kwale, Vocational Training Centre - Kilifi and Mkwajuni Vocational Training Centre - Kilifi.
Courses include welding and fabrication, motor vehicle mechanic, masonry, cake, bread making and decoration, basic electrical, basic tailoring, computer operator, basic hair dressing, plumbing and pipe fitting, beauty therapy grade III, II or I and metal processing technology.
The duration of the training is between three months to 12 months depending on the course one is taking.
The scholarship will cover tuition and examination fee, material requirements for the courses and monthly subsistence allowance for each beneficiary.
The application forms can be downloaded from the KeNHA Website (www.kenha.co.ke) or hard copies obtained from the KeNHA Coast regional offices, Public Works Building, 2nd floor, Mahindi Road off Shimanzi Road, Mombasa County Commissioner’s Office.
KeNHA said application forms by the interested youth must be stamped by the Area Chief or Assistant County Commissioner as a verification of the residency status of the applicant.
Applications must be submitted by September 1 at 5pm.
Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.
The selection of applicants will be undertaken with the support of the National government and County Education Officers in the respective counties.
All received application letters will be evaluated against the eligibility criteria.
KeNHA said the output of this process will be a list of applicants to be invited for a physical vetting exercise.
“A list of successful applicants will be generated upon completion of vetting. The applicants will be contacted and enrolled to their respective institutions in the September 2023 intake.”
KeNHA said scholarships will be awarded on the basis of a comparative evaluation of the applications submitted, of the requirements met, and of the criteria relating to the merit established according to a specific evaluation chart.
