A total of 3,165 trainees have graduated from Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in Kisumu marking a significant step in the county’s efforts to equip young people with practical skills and addressing rising unemployment.
The graduation ceremony, the third, was held at the Rotary Vocational Training Centre in the city centre.
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o described the graduation as milestone that reflects the county’s growing investment in technical training as a driver of economic transformation.
“Today is not merely about completion of training, but a celebration of transformation where skills meet opportunity and aspirations turn into capability,” Nyong'o said.
The graduates, comprising 1,557 male and 1,608 female were trained across 11 disciplines aligned with labour market demands.
Their competencies were assessed and certified by national institutions, including the National Industrial Training Authority, Kenya National Examinations Council, and the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council.
Nyong’o said the certifications not only guarantee quality but also enhance the graduates’ competitiveness beyond the county and national borders.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening vocational training, noting that it remains central to Kisumu’s development agenda.
The county has allocated Sh25 million for training equipment and another Sh125.5 million for capitation to improve access and retention in VTCs.
Some 25 trainers have been recruited with plans in place to hire 25 more.
“These are not mere expenditures; they are investments in human capital, which is the most strategic asset of any progressive society,” Nyong’o said.
He added that expanding access to vocational training across all wards and promoting entrepreneurship remain key pillars of his administration’s strategy to empower youth and create jobs.
Nyong’o noted that Kisumu is aligning its vocational training programmes with emerging global trends to ensure graduates remain competitive.
They include adoption of Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), recognition of prior learning, and integration of digital, innovation, and green skills.
The county is also strengthening partnerships with industry players and embracing dual training models that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience.
“We are not passive observers of change; we are active participants shaping a future-ready TVET system,” he said.
The governor urged the graduates to leverage their skills to create opportunities rather than wait for employment.
“The world will not reward your certificate alone. It will demand your skill, discipline, creativity, and resilience.”
He challenged them to view their competencies as tools for transformation, encouraging them to venture into entrepreneurship and contribute to economic growth.
Nyong’o said the future of Kisumu will be driven not just by policy decisions, but by skilled youth working in workshops, farms, and enterprises.
“The future begins today and it begins with you,” he told the graduands.
Education CEC John Awiti said enrolment in vocational training centres has grown sharply, signalling rising confidence in technical education.
He noted that the number of trainees has increased to 6,545, with projections of 7,500 by May and more than 8,000 by next year.
“This is not just growth in numbers, it is growth in opportunity, dignity and hope,” Owiti said.
He added that the county is targeting an estimated 9,000 youths who miss out on university and college placements annually, positioning VTCs as an alternative pathway to employment and entrepreneurship.
The graduation ceremony brought together county officials, development partners, trainers, parents, and guardians in celebrating the achievements of the trainees and the county’s expanding vocational training programme.
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