Kiambu County government has been urged to invest more in polytechnics and vocational training institutes to improve productivity and quality in the informal sector.
Speaking in Thika town on Wednesday, Thika District Business Association secretary general Sam Chege, said the county does not have enough polytechnics to train all artisans entering the jua kali sector.
"We all know that the jua kali sector in this county employs many youths and is a major source of revenue to the county government. However, we have a challenge in training," said Chege.
He said many youths who are unable to get a place in the few available polytechnics choose to learn through apprenticeship, a move he said was affecting productivity and quality.
"If we want the goods and services coming from this sector to be competitive, then we have to invest in training. Somebody who has gone to a polytechnic is likely to give quality work than the one who learnt through apprenticeship", he said.
Chege said the informal sector has to be perceived differently for enough gains to be made capable of propelling the county economy to the next level.