Standard gauge railway contractor launches training facility to equip local workers

A security officer keeps guard at a section of the standard gauge railway under construction by the China and Bridges Corporation Company. The firm has set up a technology-transfer training centre to give locals a handle on railway construction as well as prepare them to maintain the facility once complete. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

The standard gauge railway (SGR) contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), has launched a railway technology transfer training facility in Voi to improve capacity of its Kenyan employees.

Once complete, passenger trains using SGR will cruise at speeds of 120 kilometres per hour while cargo trains will run at 80 kilometres per hour.

This will shorten time taken between Mombasa and Nairobi to about four and a half hours for passengers and eight hours for cargo.

The construction phase is expected to create about 30,000 jobs for Kenyans and contribute 1.5 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

NEW SKILLS

The CRBC Technology Transfer Competence Training Centre will be used to equip Kenyans already engaged in construction of the railway with new skill sets needed for the SGR project.

The training centre will be located at the SGR Section 2 campsite in Voi and those employees who undergo the training will be among key personnel in construction of the new railway.

They are also expected to implement the acquired skills in sustainably running the new railway after it is completed and handed over to Kenya Railways Corporation.

Governor John Mrutu said the training programme is one of a kind and urged local employees to take great advantage of the training since they will be the main beneficiaries.

“Expertise acquired here will equip you as employees to seek even greater positions in other up-coming mega projects not just the SGR,” said Mr Mruttu who officiated the event.

SGR Section 2 Deputy SGR Project Manager Han Feng said the centre will provide a comprehensive path for technology transfer, improve local technical levels as well as maintain skilled manpower for the SGR project.

TWO PHASES

“The curriculum will comprise two segments, namely physical operation training and theoretical studies.

Apart from technology transfer, employees will also be trained on soft skills and safety,” Feng said.

The programme’s first phase will take three months and Section 2 is expected to train about 200-300 engineers, technicians and artisans in the field of railway construction and maintenance.

The Section 2 training centre is a pilot programme, which will be replicated across other SGR campsites, with an aim to convert unskilled labour into skilled labour.