By Titus Too
The Government is establishing 13 more technical training institutes to enhance training opportunities.
Mr Ooko Zachary from the Directorate of Technical Education said the expansion programme is aimed at ensuring each of the 47 counties has an institute. He said ground breaking for the new institutions would begin soon.
"Of the new institutes, eight will be funded by the Government and African Development Bank while the other five will be constructed by the Government," said Ooko.
He said eight counties in the country lack technical training institutes. "There are currently 43 technical institutes across the country with some counties having more than one tertiary institution," he said.
He added that the Government is spending millions of shillings in upgrading and modernising facilities in the colleges.
Ooko was speaking during an award ceremony for industries that offer practical attachment for trainees from seven technical institutes in the North Rift region.
Eastern Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Wanyama Musiambo said the partnership between tertiary institutions and industries should be nurtured to boost performance.
He noted with concern the upgrade of some institutions into university colleges saying the trend would look more students out of technical courses. "We cannot afford to do away with middle level institutions. They should instead be equipped to offer quality training," he said.
Dr Wilson Aruasa, the Deputy Director of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret said the institution would soon increase attachment slots to meet training needs of increasing number of students.
