Jobseekers have been advised to get certified skills in order to work abroad as the government kicked off a first of its kind National Job Recruitment programme, which will enable 20,000 Kenyans to work in foreign countries.
The programme under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection was overseen by Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr Alfred Mutua in Machakos on Wednesday.
Hundreds of job seekers turned up at Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind where lucky beneficiaries walked away with job offers from various countries, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Germany and Australia.
The 52 jobs on offer in different countries include nurses, cooks, drivers, electricians, Engineers, teachers, paramedics, caregivers and gardeners, among others.
Speaking at the event, Mutua and Director TVET Dr Esther Muoria urged Kenyans who are skilled in certain areas but lack certification to enroll in short courses at TVET institutions to enable them take up such opportunities in future.
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“There are people here who have come to seek jobs but they have no certificates. It’s important to get a certificate as proof of your skills,” said Dr Mutua.
“We are urging every young person in Kenya to join a TVET institution and get a certificate. We are not training you to be a Mechanical Engineer but we want you to have a certificate for a skill. We have short courses of between three to six months where you can get certified,” rejoined Dr Muoria.
Machakos Town MP Caleb Mule offered to sponsor young people seeking certification in short courses through the NGCDF, inviting those interested to apply.
The National Job Recruitment Programme continues tomorrow in Makueni County and later in Kitui and Nakuru counties, among other places.
Beneficiaries are set to fly out by December 12. The government will cater for their travel documents.
By Stephen Muthini
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