As part of its efforts in entrenching and improving the quality of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions at the grassroots, the national government is set to open an ultra-modern college at Kiambatha village in Gichugu constituency, Kirinyaga county.

President William Ruto is expected to officially open Gichugu Technical and Vocational College in September so as to empower youth to contribute to nation building.

The institution, which is currently admitting students, is expected to not only transform the remote village but also earmark the region as the center for mechanical engineering training.

Once it takes off, the facility will receive part of the 4,840 trainers who have been reskilled by the State department for TVET on the new Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) program.

According to the college’s principal Joseph Kimemia (pictured), the government has so far allocated Sh100 million to purchase learning equipment.

September opening

Kimemia said he has so far registered over 400 trainees for various courses and anticipates to absorb 1,000 students once it officially opens its doors in September.

He said that the institution will continue registering learners and attain its capacity of 3,000 progressively.

“This mega institution will not only transform this village but the entire Central Kenya region because it is one of the colleges earmarked by the government to be centers of mechanical engineering training in the country,” the principal said.

Kimemia said President Ruto’s administration is keen on transforming this country through revolutionization of TVET.

“We have over the years tried to convince our young people to let go of the belief injected to them by their forefathers that TVET learning was meant for failures. We are at a moment where TVET learning is no longer an option but a choice. Under the technical training programme, we no longer discuss grades but what individual students can do,” Kimemia said.

Area resident Rose Thiguku said they have started portioning their pieces of land so as to construct residential houses that will host students and staff who will join the new college.

“We are determined to uproot our tea and coffee plantations so as to construct hostels and rental houses for our children and trainers. We have waited for this institution for many years. We are glad because our talented youths will get the opportunity of exploring them and amassing more knowledge,” said Thiguku.

Sarah Njoki, another resident, said the college will also contribute to the growth of the economy in the remote village and create wealth.