By Dickson Mwiti
Muraga Technical Training Institute, Tharaka Nithi County has appealed to young people across the country to enroll at the institution for skills training and certification to improve their chances of joining the job market.
Speaking to Voice Daily, the institution’s Chief Principal Ms Purity Muriithi, said the institute is targeting youth who have completed their studies but lack practical skills that would enable them to earn a living.
“Muraga TTI is a reputable institution and ready to equip trainees with marketable skills in areas of their choice to help them become competitive in the labour market.”
“We are appealing to the public, especially the youth or anyone who has completed their studies but does not have skills to enable them to earn a living, to come to Muraga and we shall skill them and give them competence in their area of choice,” said Ms Muriithi.
She also encouraged individuals who already possess practical skills but have never undergone formal training to take advantage of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme offered at the institute.
According to the principal, the programme targets people such as welders, masons and electricians who have acquired skills informally but lack certification.
“We are offering recognition of prior learning, where we assess and certify people who have skills but have never been to school. Once they are certified, they will be able to compete with anyone who has been in school for many years because they will have a certificate to show when it is required,” she said.
Under the programme, candidates can be assessed either at the institution or at their workplaces before being issued with certification.
Muriithi said the RPL registration fee is Sh500 while the assessment and certification process costs Sh3, 000.
“With Sh3, 500, one can be certified under the RPL programme,” said Ms Murithi.
She added that the institute also offers short courses for individuals who may not have time for full training programmes but want to acquire additional income-generating skills.
Among the short courses offered are baking, nail polishing, cosmetology and basic computer skills.
Muriithi noted that some of the courses, such as baking, take as little as two weeks to complete and can provide learners with immediate income opportunities.
“We have never had enough cakes, and anybody can learn baking and earn from it,” said Ms Muriithi.
She further encouraged teachers and professionals from other sectors to enroll in short courses to gain additional skills that could serve as side businesses.
She called on Form Four leavers awaiting admission to universities and colleges to take advantage of the training programmes during the waiting period, noting that the students usually have about four months before joining higher learning institutions, a period that could be used to gain practical skills.
“Within those four months, they can be skilled, and when they go to university or other colleges, they will have a side hustle,” said Ms Muriithi.
She urged young people not to remain idle, saying acquiring technical and vocational skills is key to addressing unemployment and improving livelihoods.
Edited by John Majau
