Education stakeholders in Mount Kenya East region have assured trainees of job opportunities locally and abroad after completion of their preferred courses.
They also challenged institutions of higher learning to ensure they nurture talent in athletics and sports besides offering technical skill training.
Speaking during the KATTI Mount Kenya East Region Athletics Championships held at Kaaga Primary School in Meru County, Regional Chairperson Lucy Mutembei said TVET institutions are not only centres for skills development but also platforms where trainees can identify and showcase their talents.
“Regional competitions are important because outstanding athletes would proceed to the national championships, where they could attract the attention of Athletics Kenya and potentially secure opportunities to compete internationally,” said the Mount Kenya Regional Chairlady.
Ms Mutembei called on athletics to play a crucial role in promoting good health among learners while complementing their academic and technical training.
She called on TVET institutions to ensure they embrace modularized curriculum to enable learners study technical scales before joining the job market.
“TVET institutions offer a modularized curriculum where trainees have a chance to study for two terms before sitting for examinations and receiving certificates. Level Three courses, which take only three months to complete, provide an ideal opportunity for students awaiting university admission to acquire practical skills and earn an income as they prepare to pursue higher education,” said Ms Mutembei.
The Samburu TVC Principal also urged parents to enroll their children in technical institutions, noting that the government supports learners through funding initiatives such as HELB loans, capitation, and scholarships.
She called on all educational stakeholders to work harmoniously in bid to ensure parents do not leave out any learner with lower grades at home.
“TVET’s institutions offer a variety of courses tailored solely for each learners of different talents, abilities and interests.
Every child has unique talents, and their future may lie in technical skills training,” she emphasized.
Regional Sports Association Chairman and chief guest, Charles Rotich said the competition aimed to identify and select athletes who will represent the region at the upcoming National KATTI Games at Nyayo National Stadium next week.
Rotich said sports competitions provide trainees with an opportunity to showcase their talents beyond the technical skills acquired in their institutions.
He noted that individuals possess different talents, including both technical abilities and psychomotor skills, and stressed the importance of developing well-rounded individuals capable of excelling in multiple areas.
According to Rotich, sports and recreation offer viable career opportunities through which young people can earn a living.
He added that Kenya has built a strong reputation in athletics and other sporting disciplines, and TVET institutions have a critical role to play in nurturing the next generation of talent.
He further observed that sports form an integral component of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework, making athletics and other co-curricular activities essential in the holistic development of learners.
