Kenya roots for technical skills to allow youth to benefit abroad

KITALE, Kenya May 26 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government is luring the youth to pursue technical courses in bid to reap from ready market for technical manpower in the U.S. and Europe.

Higher Education Minister Prof Margaret Kamar disclosed that the government has plans to establish three technical universities in the country to offer technical courses and help enhance knowledge to students with innovative skills.

"To cope with the challenging global world's need for innovations. The government has plans to open three technical universities to provide enhanced technical skills to students," the minister said.

She said there is a serious shortage for technical experts in the U.S. and European countries and Kenyan youth should take advantage and acquire technical skills offered in local technical institutions.

The minister regretted that Kenyan parents and students have negative attitude towards technical colleges despite their role in the growth of the economy.

"It is a wrong perception that technical institutions are made for students with poor academic results. There are pretty job opportunities in the U.S. and Europe for person with technical skills," she said on Saturday in Western Kenya's town of Kitale.

Kamar said the government with the support from donors is establishing new technical colleges and funding the infrastructural development of the existing institution to enable them provide modern innovative skills.