More than 400 youths drawn from all the 12 sub-counties in Kiambu County will benefit from various short courses at Thika Technical Training Institute which have been have been fully paid for through the Affirmative Action Social Development Fund (AASDF).
Launching the Sh5.6 million programme on Monday at the institute, Kiambu Women Rep Anne Nyokabi said that the programme will run from April 4- 30 2016. She said that there is a need to equip the youths with skills especially those who dropped out of school and can barely secure any meaningful employment.
"This programme is the first of its kind in Kenya. For the first time we are seeking to empower the most ignored group in our society whom the politicians have always used to achieve their selfish gains," said Nyokabi.
She added that the programme will enable the 400 youths get into direct employment upon completion of their courses that include tailoring, plumbing, wiring, bakery, welding among others.
"China was able to transform its economy through its emphasis on practical courses and that is what we would want to see replicated here," she added.
Nyokabi noted that there were more than 3500 applications and therefore urged the lucky beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity to their advantage.