HF
Foundation hosted a mentorship forum for 75 artisans at Komarock Heights
development in Nairobi. The artisans are part of the Foundation’s ongoing
training and internship programme aimed at improving the quality of technical
skills in the construction industry.
Komarock
heights has hosted skills development training for over 500 artisans since it
broke ground in September 2015.
The
programme, which was rolled out in partnership with the German Corporation for
International Development (GIZ), supports
trainees in selected institutions to gain hands-on training in occupations
related to the construction sector and facilitates practical internship
opportunities.
The
success of the program is attributed to the partnership with industry
contractors such as Ultra Power Systems, Josil Construction Limited, Endeavors
Company Limited, Aggregate Construction Limited and Project Manager Kenyatta
University. The program was also made a big success by the contribution from
the training institutions that provided the classroom learning which included
Lamu Vocational training Centre, Ukunda Youth Polytechnic, Kisii National
Polytechnic and Kaiboi Technical Training Institute.
The 75
artisans were awarded certificates for having completed their 3 month internship
training in the trades of masonry, plumbing, building and construction and
electrical installation. The forum was the 3rd held since inception of the program,
which is expected to run between 2017 and 2018, targeting an overall of 450
trainees.
Speaking
during the event, Caroline Sikasa, the senior programs manager of HF Foundation
called for improvement of technical skills and enhancement of a robust
curriculum for technical courses. This, she said, would help bridge the
widening technical skills gap in Kenya.
“The
programme will ensure competency based education and training which is demand
driven and also promotes enterprise culture so as to offer a wide range of
employment opportunities to the youth,” said Ms. Sikasa of HF Foundation.
Present
at the event were contractors and representatives from industry bodies such as
the National Construction Authority (NCA) who advised the artisans on industry
best practice and career prospects.
The
mentorship programme is aligned to the Vision 2030 flagship project aimed at
bridging the technical skills gap in the country. Through the Foundation, HF
Group is the first private sector player to spearhead this Vision 2030 flagship
project.
The
initiative builds on HF Foundation’s continued commitment to improve overall
skills in the construction sector.
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