More than 90 young men and women from Songa and Shurr conservancies have received vocational training from the Ujuzi Manyattani programme in Marsabit county.
The programme funded by both USAID Kenya and French Development Agency is an initiative by Northern Rangelands Trust.
While presiding over 2nd graduation ceremony held at KWS ground on Wednesday, Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo identified technical and vocational skills acquisition as a necessary ingredient in the socioeconomic progress of the county.
He said Governor Mohamud Ali's led administration is turning its focus to the provision of technical skills in a bid to address the growing deficit in skilled labour in the county.
Gubo added that there was a need for young people to value technical and vocational skills other than dreaming of white-collar jobs.
"As a devolved unit, we are out to tap into the full potential of vocational and technical education. Youth should embrace technical and vocational training to reduce poverty and unemployment," said Deputy Governor.
He said residents should discard the negative perception that the vocational courses are for persons who have failed to pass the exam.
Gubo said the county government would continue to create opportunities in the TVET to get more youth to acquire technical skills.
The DG assured that Governor Mohamud's administration is ready to sustain investment in technical and vocational education to drive economic growth in the county.
"Using formal and informal learning, the colleges equip learners with knowledge and technical skills for empowerment," he said.
"The government established TVET to expand opportunities for the youth and promote the acquisition of skills."
He urged parents and guardians to encourage their children to go for courses at technical and vocational training institutions to address the technical skills gap.
The Deputy Governor urged residents not to ignore the possible effects of expected El Nino rains and to prepare themselves adequately for any eventualities.
He urged residents to heed the advice given by experts on mitigation measures should the heavy rains occur.
"While the el-nino weather phenomenon cannot be predicted with absolute certainty, it's essential for the community to be prepared."
He called on marsabit residents to stay informed about weather forecasts and emergency alerts.
The DG warned residents living in the lowland areas prone to flooding to move to higher ground as el-nino starts to prevent disaster.
Gubo urged residents to coexist peacefully and not to hide criminals whose activities cause insecurity in the county.
The deputy county boss encouraged residents to take advantage of the anticipated El Nino rains and start planting early maturing crops to boost food production and alleviate hunger in the region.
NRT's Marsabit county Coordinator Did Fayo said the Ujuzi Manyattani programme aims to enable youths to earn a decent living through employment and self-employment.
It prepares young people for opportunities arising from Vision 2030 projects and devolution and also promotes the government's adoption of mobile vocational training.
He said the programme targets uneducated youths from Shurr and Songa conservation areas.
"The Ujuzi Manyattani programme sponsored five courses in Marsabit that have developed to target uneducated youths in the region who have had the least access to formal education," he said
He said the programme has been commended for its involvement in the community, enthusiastic and the training facilities are provided without disrupting the community's ways of life.
The NRT Marsabit regional coordinator said since its inception more than 700 women and youth have graduated from the programme with courses ranging from catering, hairdressing and beauty, tailoring, motorbike repair and dressmaking.
"So far, 782 women and youth have been empowered with skills to help them earn an income and prepare diversified livelihoods," said coordinator
He said mobile vocational training is one of the best interventions to unemployment and poverty which attracts youths into crime, saying they could only be addressed through education and skills empowerment.
"The training model is compatible with the lives of people living in arid and semi-arid areas because they can earn without interfering with their lives," he said
He said the Ujuzi Manyattani programme is being tailored to the lifestyles of pastoral communities as the equipment and training are mobile.
"Through this program, many youths and women who were indulging in unproductive activities are turning their skills into business," said Fayo.
Salad Alio said more youth in the area could only engage in bodaboda business and herding cattle and are now acquiring technical skills despite being uneducated.
"The youths used to contribute insecurity as they engaged in cattle rustling had slowly made livestock keeping unreliable," he said.
He said the training is more practical-oriented to help youths who did not attend classes capture the skills.
Alio said despite training, the program brought together youths from different localities which promoted peace in the area.
He said technical training only admits those with primary and secondary education, thereby locking out uneducated youths.
Joseph Leado, a 30-year-old is among 90 youths who for the past three months have been equipped with new skills which are reducing their dependency on livestock.
He said, unlike herding which exposes one to risks in the grazing fields, a motorcycle repair job has brought him satisfaction and peace of mind.
Joseph says vocational training could be a real shot in the arm if more youth get involved.
"Youths who provided vocational skills are making some money. Their mindset has changed from a rustling," said Leado.
He vows that once he gets married and has children, he will ensure that they get educated so that they don't engage in retrogressive practices.
Gumato Qampicha from Shurr is the only lady from the area who chooses motorbike repair courses despite the course attracting only male colleagues.
She said the Ujuzi Manyattani programme is a step in the right direction since it offers skills to youths without formal education.
Angelina Leado who graduated with a Hairdressing course noted that the programme promotes cohesion among diverse communities through interaction.
"This program is helping us to integrate with other communities," she said.
Ujuzi Manyattani, a programme led by the Northern Rangelands Trust is a vocational training delivery model that gives alternative livelihoods to communities in NRT-member conservancies.
The graduates receive certificates and start-up tools.