A government-funded technical college in Murang’a County to a tune of Sh200 million has only admitted six students since January when it opened.
Sh100 million was used to put up the Gatanga Technical College while a further Sh100 million was pumped in to purchase equipment.
Gatanga MP Joseph Nduati said the low uptake of technical courses in the county is attributed to the fact that youths have shunned technical courses.
He said he will mobilize local administrators to inform the locals of the existence of the technical college.
“Youths do not know that technical work is readily available and well-paying if they are well trained, instead of waiting for white-collar jobs, which are mostly not forthcoming,” he was quoted by the Star when he spoke at Ithanga market.
He emphasized the need to have youths join the technical college noting diploma graduates in technical courses are doing well.
He urged parents to enroll their children who are idle at home into carpentry, plumbing, mechanics among other courses being offered at the college.
“What these youths do not know is most of the people who have technical skills are paid an average figure of Sh1, 000 per day in construction works.”
Labour CS Ukur Yattani a few weeks ago lamented lack of technicians in the country forcing the government to import skilled technicians from India and China.
The government has laid emphasis on creating employment opportunities through technical and vocational training colleges which have been opened countrywide.