Youth across the country need to be empowered with life skills to make them self-reliant, says an NGO official.
Isaac Kigoto from CAP Youth Empowerment Institute said training of youth on technical jobs is very vital arguing there is high demand of artisans in the country against their supply.
“Training on technical jobs are not all that expensive, youth need to be trained for at least three months and immediately get introduced to industrial companies for engagement,” said Kigoto.
Kigoto said instructors of technical training institutions should develop cultures of visiting various companies in the country to find out what the industries need in terms of labor so as to develop curriculum for training young people on the skills that specific companies require.
He said apparently, the informal sector through various industrial companies across the country has employed majority of the youth with technical skills.
“In this 21st century, employers are no longer interested in papers but skills and competencies, they want to have the work done,” said Kigoto.
Kigoto who spoke at a graduation ceremony in Amirata Children Home in Athi River town, Machakos county urged the youth to embrace technical courses like carpentry, masonry, mechanic, plumbing, electrical and electronics, hairdressing and hospitality among others.
Over 260 youths from Machakos, Dagorreti, Buru Buru and Thika CAP training centres all either fourth form or class eight leavers graduated.