Youths from Makoko Sub-County have been encouraged to embrace vocational training in a bid to acquire alternative technical skills to enable them earn decent livelihoods.
Speaking on Thursday at the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) offices in Athi River town during issuance of motor vehicle driving licenses to the youth, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, said the youth who clear their form four education but fail to secure admission in either middle class colleges or universities for professional training should consider village polytechnics for artisan and other related courses.
Makau said his office had gotten into an agreement with the Athi River's Vocational Training Institute to ensure that youth from the sub-county who could not join higher levels of learning institutions were enrolled in the facility for artisan courses of their choices ranging from driving, masonry, carpentry, tailoring and catering.
He said that the youth should not despise such courses since they are more marketable given that very many industries within and outside the sub-county employ experts almost on a monthly basis due to their high demand.
The MP called on resident youth to register with the Mavoko CDF office so as to be considered for sponsorship opportunities for technical training at the Vocational Training Institute.
Makau issued the licenses to 200 youth, comprising of both male and female who had successfully completed their training on driving, courtesy of the CDF.
The legislator said the training was intended to empower youth with driving skills arguing that just like computer training, driving is also a mandatory requirement which youth should acquire to fit in the society in this digital error.
"All residents of Mavoko Sub-County have constitutional rights to benefit from various empowerment initiatives which have been designed and are under implementation of the CDF office. We therefore offer equal opportunities to all since the execution is done using public funds," said Makau.
Makau said the beneficiaries of Sh2 million worth project had been enrolled from Athi River Township, Mlolongo, Katani and Muthuani wards.
He said the fund had trained over 1,000 youth on motor vehicle and motorcycle driving at a cost of Sh4 million in the last two financial years.
Makau said the initiative had enabled the youth to be competent and qualified drivers thus minimising the number of accidents on the roads alongside acquiring lucrative jobs after obtaining their driving licenses.
He urged all the beneficiaries of public funds sponsorships to make good use of the skills and give back to the community once they were in a position to.