More than 1,160 young people who graduated from a vocational training programme in Nandi County could benefit from employment opportunities within the county government, following a pledge by Governor Stephen Sang to prioritise qualified trainees for available positions.

Sang said his administration would consider graduates whose skills matched the county’s staffing needs, particularly in healthcare and construction, as the government expands public services and infrastructure.

Speaking during the graduation of the second cohort of the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Free We-Can Academy at Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex Ground, the Governor said vocational training should translate into tangible employment opportunities for young people.

“We are not just graduating you for the job market out there. We believe in the skills we are giving you, and if we believe in those skills, we must be the first to consume your services,” he said.

Sang disclosed that he had instructed county officials to identify opportunities where qualified graduates could be absorbed into the workforce, particularly as healthcare facilities expand and demand for skilled personnel increases.

He cited the expansion of health services, alongside investments in roads, affordable housing and markets, as areas where technically trained young people could secure employment.

The Governor said electricians, masons, carpenters, welders and other skilled workers had better prospects of earning higher wages than untrained labourers, particularly on construction sites.

He urged graduates to use their newly acquired skills to pursue employment, establish businesses and become economically independent.

The second cohort produced 1,160 graduates, more than doubling the number in the inaugural class, with Sang predicting that subsequent cohorts would attract even more young people.

The governor said the county would continue supporting the programme to ensure young people acquired skills that could help them secure employment, establish businesses and achieve economic independence.

Sang emphasised the importance of practical, market-driven training, urging young people to complement their technical competencies with formal certification to improve their competitiveness in the labour market.

He encouraged graduates and other skilled workers to take advantage of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework implemented by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), which provides a pathway for individuals to have competencies acquired through apprenticeships, informal training and practical experience assessed and certified.

Sang said the framework would help young people demonstrate their abilities to employers, access business opportunities and pursue further training.

He urged trainees to continue upgrading their skills to remain relevant in an evolving labour market.

The Governor also commended the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports for supporting initiatives that promote vocational training, entrepreneurship, innovation and access to dignified work.

He said the county government remained committed to investing in programmes that equip young people with practical skills and enable them to contribute meaningfully to economic development.

Sang announced plans to allocate land in Kaptembwa to IYF to establish a permanent training institution, allowing more young people to acquire vocational skills without travelling to Nairobi and other towns.

He said the partnership had brought training opportunities closer to local communities, particularly young people who could not afford the cost of travelling outside the county to pursue similar courses.

The proposed institution would provide a long-term foundation for vocational training in Nandi, ensuring that future generations continued to benefit from the programme.

Sang further urged IYF to work with the county government to establish free Wezesha Academies across the county’s sub-counties to extend training opportunities beyond Kaptembwa.

He said the initiative should continue beyond his tenure, stressing that youth empowerment was a long-term development priority rather than a political undertaking.

“This programme is not about Governor Sang. This programme is about the youth of Nandi,” he said, expressing confidence that future administrations would build on the foundation already established.

The Governor commended IYF’s leadership, instructors and volunteers for their contribution to skills development and mentorship, saying the partnership was helping prepare young people for a productive future.

Dr Becky Omolo representative from Catholic University Eastern Africa, addressed the graduates, praising the partnership between the county government and IYF, saying it had opened opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills without paying training fees.

She said the skills would enable graduates to establish small businesses, including salons and kiosks, giving them opportunities to earn a living and support their families.

Omolo challenged other counties to emulate Nandi’s partnership with IYF, which she described as a model of community empowerment through free skills training.

She also urged graduates to view the training as a foundation for further education rather than the end of their academic journey.

“Today, if you want to pursue a diploma, our doors are open for you. If you want to pursue a degree, we are ready to support you,” said Omolo, who invited the graduates to consider further studies at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

She said investing in young people would strengthen both the county and the country by equipping them with the knowledge and competencies needed to participate in economic development.

Omolo also commended the working relationship between IYF and various county departments, particularly the health sector.

She however urged residents to prioritise cancer screening and take advantage of available health services, noting that early detection was important in the fight against cancer.

She said IYF had supported a recent cancer awareness walk in Eldoret and pledged continued collaboration in future awareness initiatives.

Further, Sang revealed that ongoing National and County Government infrastructure projects would sustain demand for skilled workers for years to come, urging young people to position themselves to benefit from emerging opportunities.

He noted that investments in affordable housing, road construction, markets and healthcare required skilled personnel and offered young people opportunities to earn a livelihood.

The Governor also credited President William Ruto’s recent development tour of Nandi with helping attract investments in roads, housing, student hostels, markets and hospital expansions.

He said equitable distribution of development resources across the country would create opportunities for communities and accelerate national economic transformation.

Sang challenged graduates to view their certificates as a starting point rather than the end of their professional development, encouraging them to continue acquiring knowledge and practical experience.

He also urged residents and political aspirants to maintain peace and tolerance as the country approaches the next General Election, calling for issue-based campaigns and respect for differing political opinions.

The governor said his administration would continue implementing its development agenda and completing pending projects during the remainder of his term.

By Geoffrey Satia