Thousands of out-of-school youth in Turkana are set to benefit from a new education program called “Ujuzi Mashinani,” a collaborative effort between the County Government and USAID Nawiri.
Senior Program Officer of USAID Nawiri, Samuel Kabulit, stated, “Through this model, youths in the targeted areas will be able to access market-driven skills, which will put them in an opportune position to earn for themselves and their families and transform the fortunes of the local community.”
The program aims to equip the youth with essential skills for entry into the local labor market. It involves on-site training followed by assessment, certification, and graduation from vocational institutions.
“The Ujuzi Mashinani program will significantly support the efforts by expanding the opportunities for financial inclusion of the out-of-school youths,” Kabulit added.
Speaking on the program, the Director of Vocational Training in Turkana, Stephen Eregae, emphasized, “This program is a pathway for job entry for the youth,” and acknowledged USAID Nawiri as a strategic partner.
The sensitization and demand creation activities will run for two weeks before the official launch of the recruitment exercise, led by the CECM for Education, Sports, and Social Protection, Leah Audan.
TVET officers, Willy Cheruiyot and Mark Ebei, were present during the announcement. This program is set to revolutionize the prospects for youth in Turkana, providing them with the skills they need to succeed in the local job market.