A Kericho based multinational tea company has awarded Sh8.3 million in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) scholarships to 39 students from Kericho and Bomet counties in a move aimed at equipping young people with market-driven technical skills and addressing youth unemployment.
Browns Plantations Kenya Limited, through the Browns and Finlays Community Trust, awarded the scholarships to enable the students to pursue Technical and Vocational Training Education (TVET) courses at Belgut Technical Training Institute and Konoin Technical Training Institute.
The company also presented six graduates from its inaugural 2024 cohort with trade-specific start-up toolkits worth up to Sh 50,000 each to help them transition into self-employment after completing their training.
The graduates completed their training under the scholarship program and benefited from mentorship and industrial attachments aimed at easing their transition from technical training to the workplace.
The 39 scholarship recipients, drawn from all the constituencies of Kericho and Bomet Counties, will undertake market-driven courses in Automotive Engineering, Building and Construction, Electrical Installation and Plumbing Technology at Belgut Technical Training Institute and Konoin Technical Training Institute.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms, Browns Plantation Kenya Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Patron of the Browns and Finlays Community Trust, Dushanth Ratwatte said the initiative seeks to equip young people with practical skills and match industry needs while creating pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
Ratwatte noted that investing in technical education goes beyond paying tuition fees, saying the program integrates industrial attachment, workplace exposure and post-training mentorship to ensure graduates are adequately prepared for the job market.
“Kenya’s future competitiveness will depend on a workforce equipped with practical, industry relevant skills. Scholarships open doors, but mentorship, workplace experience and the right tools help young people walk confidently through them. Through this program, we are preparing young people not only to graduate, but to succeed in employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong careers.” said CEO Ratwatte.
He said Kenya’s economic growth and competitiveness will increasingly depend on a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of industry, adding that partnerships between the private sector and training institutions are critical in bridging the skills gap.
Since its launch in 2024, the TVET Scholarship Programme has supported 119 students through an investment of approximately Sh 25.7million, underscoring Browns Plantations Kenya Limited commitment to nurturing skilled talent and contributing to the country’s workforce development agenda.
Browns Plantations Kenya Limited has invested more than Sh 360 million in scholarships and over Sh 350 million in education-related infrastructure across Kericho and Bomet counties through the Browns and Finlays Community Trust.
The investments support schools, TVET institutions and other community facilities as part of its efforts to expand access to education, strengthen livelihoods and promote sustainable community development.
Formerly James Finlay Kenya Limited, Browns Plantations Kenya Limited is part of the Browns Group under Sri Lanka’s LOLC Holdings Public Limited Company. The company is among Kenya’s leading tea producers and has continued to invest in sustainable agriculture and community development through education, infrastructure and livelihood programs.
Through the Browns and Finlays Community Trust, the company partners with Finlays to implement community development initiatives across Kericho and Bomet counties. The Trust, which is funded 80 per cent by Browns Plantations Kenya and 20 per cent by Finlays, supports infrastructure programs in education, healthcare, water, infrastructure, sustainable livelihoods and disaster relief aimed at improving the well-being and resilience of local communities.
By Sarah Njagi
