Kericho Governor, Dr. Erick Mutai, has called on graduates from Technical Training Instituts (BTTI) to position themselves for the expanding employment opportunities both locally and internationally.
Dr. Mutai said the Kericho County government is strengthening linkages between skilled youth, ongoing development projects, and the global labour market.
Speaking during the Belgut Technical Training Institute (BTTI) inaugural graduation ceremony held at Seretut/Cheptororiet Ward in Belgut Sub-county and graced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, Dr. Mutai said technical and vocational education and training remain central to economic transformation and youth empowerment through skills development.
He noted that graduates must embrace innovation, entrepreneurship, and adaptability in order to remain competitive in a rapidly changing labour market, as demand for skilled labor continues to rise both locally and globally.
“The world has become a global village where opportunities are no longer limited to our local communities, and our young people must be ready to compete globally,” he remarked.
Dr. Mutai disclosed that the Council of Governors, in collaboration with the national government and other stakeholders, is developing frameworks aimed at facilitating access to overseas employment opportunities for skilled youth, including support in documentation, guidance, and information on available jobs abroad.
The Governor emphasized that the county government is prioritizing local job creation through ongoing infrastructure projects across Kericho County, which he explained are designed to absorb a significant number of skilled graduates.
He cited key development projects, including the upgrading of Kiprugut Chumo Stadium, construction of Kapkatet Stadium, the Affordable Housing Programme at Chelimo, expansion of Kerenga Airstrip, and ongoing road and market infrastructure works.
“We are engaging contractors to ensure that our graduates benefit directly through internships, industrial attachments, and employment opportunities within these projects. We are also building a structured database to link trained youth directly to available jobs,” Dr. Mutai observed.
Additionally, he revealed that the county government is engaging tea factories, manufacturing industries, and agribusiness enterprises within Kericho to expand employment pathways beyond government projects, noting that the goal is to fully integrate technical skills into the county’s economic ecosystem.
The Governor expressed regrets over the recent fire tragedy at Utumishi Girls Academy and conveyed condolences to families who lost 16 children, calling for strengthened safety standards in learning institutions and urging stakeholders to enhance preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
Belgut Technical Training Institute Chief Principal Benard Korir said the institution has recorded significant growth since its establishment, expanding from an initial intake of 100 students in 2019 to more than 8,000 students currently enrolled in various technical and vocational programmes.
Korir attributed the growth to sustained support from the National government, the Belgut NG-CDF, and development partners, including the area Member of Parliament, Nelson Koech, which he explained had strengthened infrastructure development and training capacity.
“We have grown from 100 students at inception to over 8,000 learners today. This reflects strong support from government and stakeholders that has enabled us to expand both infrastructure and training capacity,” he stated.
Korir noted that the institution has established itself as a center of excellence in Information Communication Technology and Fashion and design, adding that its tailoring department played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic by producing face masks and uniforms for the local community.
The Chief Principal further highlighted the institution’s digital hub, which is equipped with more than 150 computers and provides learners and members of the public with digital skills training, internet access, and online job search support.
“Our institution offers Artisan, Certificate and Diploma programmes examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council and the National Industrial Training Authority in engineering, ICT, business studies, agriculture, hospitality and beauty therapy among other fields.
We have embraced dual training programmes that combine classroom instruction with industry-based learning, enabling students to acquire practical experience and improve employability upon graduation,” he explained.
The graduation ceremony marked the institution’s inaugural graduation since its establishment on land acquired through the Belgut NG-CDF in 2015, with construction beginning in 2017 before opening in 2019.
The colourful ceremony brought together Members of the County Assembly, representatives from the University of Kabianga, County officials, education stakeholders, development partners, parents and students, who witnessed the graduation of 1,741 trainees and marked the institution’s continued growth in technical and vocational training.
By Gilbert Mutai and Gilbert Bett
