Nandi Women Representative Cynthia Muge has called for increased investment in technical and vocational training to equip young people and serving workers with practical skills.

Speaking at Kaiboi National Polytechnic in Mosop Sub County during a graduation ceremony for beneficiaries of an upskilling training programme organized by the Tourism Fund in partnership with the institution, Muge said acquisition of practical skills was critical in improving livelihoods and strengthening the local economy.

Muge said the graduation marked an important milestone for the beneficiaries, particularly those who had acquired valuable work experience over the years in the tourism and hospitality industry, but lacked formal certification to demonstrate their competencies.

The women rep challenged the graduands to use the skills acquired during the programme to improve the quality of services offered to visitors and customers, while exploring other opportunities for self-employment.

She stated that technical and vocational education institutions such as Kaiboi National Polytechnic had a critical role in preparing trainees for the changing demands of the labour market, noting that academic qualifications should be complemented by practical competencies.

Muge said skills development should also be viewed as an important avenue for empowering women and young people to become economically independent.

The MP urged the graduands to use their newly acquired skills to establish enterprises, seek employment and create opportunities for others instead of relying entirely on formal employment.

“The tourism and hospitality industry has enormous potential to create jobs and generate income if properly supported through skills development, innovation and investment,” she asserted.

She observed that the hospitality industry was constantly changing and workers needed to remain adaptable to new technologies, changing customer expectations and emerging business practices.

“Nandi County has untapped tourism potential that could contribute significantly to the local economy if the county invested in quality hospitality services and a competent workforce,” added Muge.

The legislator challenged tourism stakeholders to work closely with training institutions to ensure that courses offered matched the needs of employers and the wider tourism industry.

The programme also provided an opportunity for experienced workers to have competencies acquired through years of practical experience assessed and formally recognized, enabling them to obtain certification without necessarily undergoing conventional training from the beginning.

Muge said such programmes were important because many Kenyans possessed valuable practical skills, but were disadvantaged in the labour market because they lacked formal certification.

She urged the graduands to become ambassadors of professionalism by applying the knowledge acquired to improve customer service and promote high standards in the hospitality industry.

“Improved hospitality services would not only benefit individual businesses, but also enhance the attractiveness of the County to diverse visitors and other potential investors,” she explained.

By Sammy Mwibanda