Centre for training Jua Kali artisans launched

A centre for training Jua Kali artisans to improve their skills has been established.

The training centre will train 250 artisans by August this year, Housing Finance Foundation, Executive Director Ms Winnie Imanyara said.

Housing Finance has partnered with Alibhai Shariff and Sons Limited to launch the centre.

Alibhai Shariff will host the institution that will benefit painters, carpenters, construction workers, welders and others in the building and construction industry.

The academy, which will act as a centre of excellence, will recruit instructors drawn from various institutions across the country who will go through skill enhancement that is designed to help them transfer these skills to other local artisans.

Ms Imanyara said a group of six technical instructors have travelled to Dubai for training at the DeWalt center.

They will undertake a vocational training course under a private-public partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The training will enable instructors transfer knowledge that is relevant to current market needs.

“The trainers will undergo a week-long training in Dubai between June 8 and June 12. Upon return, the instructors will commence the local training program at the Alibhai Centre of Excellence which will educate 250 artisans in the first phase before scaling up,” said Ms Imanyara.

The training is being facilitated by Alibhai Sharif alongside their international partner and hardware manufacturer StanleyBlack&Decker.

Housing Finance Foundation is currently running a Vision 2030 project that aims to train one million artisans.

“We need to produce manpower with relevant skills and ability to come up with new ideas and innovations that can transform our economy,” said Ministry of Education Senior Deputy Secretary Mr. Isaiah Nyaribo during the launch of the project.

“Many young people are unemployed because they lack the skills. We need to train them adequately so that they can work with various organisations,” added Mr Nyaribo.

In the initial phases, the centre will run programs that are designed specifically to enhance the skills of practicing artisans.

“We are in a good position to understand how the manufacturing sector is crucial towards raising Kenya’s economic profile,” said Alibhai Shariff Brand Manager, Ms Najma Khan.

“Our centre of excellence is one of the avenues Alibhai Shariff is using to ensure that we have qualified personnel to drive our industries,” she added.

Mafundi Wa Kenya Association (MWAKA) Chairman Mr George Okari said Kenyan technical institutions should focus on core skills if they are to train graduates who are marketable.

“We cannot create jobs for our youth if we do not enhance their technical skills at the tertiary level of education. Kenya needs a workforce that has quality skills and is globally competitive,” said Mr Okari.