Youth in Taita Taveta County have been challenged to embrace technical education, entrepreneurship and talent development to enhance their employability and take advantage of emerging economic opportunities across the county.
The call was made during the graduation of 71 youths who successfully completed a 45-day social-emotional skills training program under the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP II) and the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program.
County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Urban Development and Mining, Christina Zighe said the training was aimed at equipping young people with skills that would enable them to navigate the job market, become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the county’s development.
“Having undergone this training, you will now be part of our county database, and you shall be engaged in different sectors when opportunities arise,” said Zighe.
She urged the graduates to form groups and position themselves to benefit from various opportunities available through both the national and county governments.
The beneficiaries were drawn from Upper Kariakor and Aseko Mlekenyi informal settlements where infrastructure projects under KISIP II are currently being implemented.
The graduation comes at a time when leaders across the county are increasingly expressing concern over a mismatch between available employment opportunities and the skills possessed by many young people.
Recently, leaders in Kishushe raised concerns over the shortage of skilled labour within the county despite the growing demand for technical professionals in the mining industry. Stakeholders say there is an urgent need to equip youth with market-oriented skills to ensure they benefit from the opportunities being created.
Speaking during the official flag-off of iron-ore haulage activities in Kishushe, Kishushe Ranching Cooperative Society Limited Secretary Wilfred Mwalimo revealed that employers have been struggling to find qualified local personnel with certificates for various positions.
According to Mwalimo, recruitment exercises for technical positions such as mining engineers and geologists attracted very few applicants from within Taita Taveta County.
“Out of fifty applicants, only one was from Taita Taveta. It is dangerous, but we have to swallow it and get a clear way forward,” said Mwalimo.
He added that the shortage extends to technical trades, noting that efforts to recruit welders had also encountered challenges.
“We announced that we need a welder. We have our bulk SMS system for Kishushe Ranch but getting even a single person is a challenge,” he said.
Mwalimo warned that unless deliberate investments are made in technical training, many local residents risk missing out on jobs arising from major projects being implemented within their communities.
“If proper steps are not taken, the majority of those from the area who will get jobs may end up being casual laborers or just be spectators in their own land,” he cautioned.
The cooperative official called on residents to embrace vocational training, describing the situation as a wake-up call for the county.
“This is a wakeup call to all of us. Residents of Taita Taveta County, let us utilize Vocational Training Centres,” he said.
He further urged the county government to strengthen Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) and align training programs with opportunities emerging from sectors such as mining, transport and mineral processing.
County officials say programs such as NYOTA and KISIP II are designed to complement technical training by equipping young people with life skills, communication abilities, teamwork, problem-solving and entrepreneurial competencies needed in the modern workplace.
The county government has also continued to encourage young people to venture into entrepreneurship and innovation as alternative pathways to economic empowerment.
As major investments continue to take shape across Taita Taveta, including mining projects expected to generate jobs and stimulate economic growth, stakeholders argue that the success of such initiatives will depend largely on the preparedness of local youth to seize available opportunities.
Investor representatives involved in the county’s mining sector have already indicated their commitment to creating employment opportunities for local communities.
Paraq Pawar of Samrudha Resources Kenya Limited said the company was committed to empowering local talent and creating jobs for residents.
“Our role is to create jobs, empower local talent, protect the environment and contribute to the social well-being of Taita Taveta County,” said Pawar.
