The enrolment of youth in polytechnics in Gatundu North Sub-County has been on the rise in the last few intakes.
The two youth polytechnics in the area, Gituamba and Mang'u, have registered a rise in enrolment from 305 in May this year to 409 by the end of August.
The rise has been attributed to persistent campaigns by legislatures and the government to encourage youth to join these institutions to acquire useful skills.
According to Martha Wairimu, a head of department in Gituamba Polytechnic, the number has also increased after the county government of Kiambu offered scholarship to enrolled candidates.
"We have a program where all students who enrol in our institution are given assistance when entering the job market, that is if a student successfully completes their course. The county government of Kiambu also has set a plan where from September this year, all students who manage to complete their course and pass well will be granted cash to commence businesses,"said Wairimu.
"The notion that youth who join youth polytechnics are academic failures is no longer in existence and our institutions have produced self-employed entrepreneurs who even turn into great employers," she added.
Wairimu says the demand for skilled masons has gone high and those graduating from government polytechnics are not meeting the demand in the market.
She urged the youth in the area to take the opportunity and join these institutions that she says can change lives.
She was speaking on Sunday at Gituamba Polytechnic grounds during a one-day rally with learners at the institution candidates.