Chinese machines inspire Kenyan youth to pursue quality vocational training

TWO-PHASE PROJECT

AVIC International signed with Kenya's Ministry of Education in 2010 an agreement worth about 30 million U.S. dollars on the phase I of Kenya-China project on the establishment of technical and vocational laboratories in Kenya.

The Chinese company helped equip 10 vocational and technical institutions in the country and provide solutions on areas including curriculum content and instructor training. About 15,000 Kenyans were trained in the phase I of the project.

In 2013, the company inked the agreement on the phase II of the project, which is valued about 158 million dollars and will equip a total of 134 institutions of technical and vocational education and training across the county.

According to the company, about 1,500 teachers and some 150,000 students will be trained in phase II, which is scheduled to end in 2020.

Zhao Leilei, a manager in charge of the program, said the rest of the equipment in the phase II of the project will be handed over to the Kenyan institutions by the end of 2018.

In addition to equipping these institutions, the company also sponsored Kenyan engineering students to pursue post-graduate degrees in China. Likewise, the Chinese firm has been providing internship opportunities to Kenyan youth pursuing technical courses in universities and mid-level colleges.

According to Zhao, the company has signed similar agreements on vocational training with other African countries including Uganda, Zambia and Ghana.

LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE

Joseph Nyakundi, a 23-year-old former cleaner, is currently stationed at Technical University of Kenya's revamped workshop, where he operates with ease the automated machines provided by the company. The university is among the first Kenyan institutions to receive the Chinese machines in 2012.

Nyakundi participated in the first edition of Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) in 2014, which was sponsored by AVIC International. The event provided him a platform to hone his skills in operating industrial machines.

"Am currently able to operate a wide range of computerized machines to produce metal parts. The machines supplied by the Chinese company are efficient and easy to use by ordinary learners," said Nyakundi.

He looks forward to becoming an accomplished machine operator and be a part and parcel of Kenya's industrial transformation.

Joseph Barasa, a mechanical engineering graduate in his early 30s, had accomplished an unusual feat by assembling a car at the university's workshop, using state-of-the-art machines provided by the company.

Barasa participated in the 2015 edition of ATC, where his engineering prowess received a huge boost.

"I have been yearning to apply theories learned in the classroom to solve every day challenges affecting our society. Skills upgrade and modern machines provided by China will enhance realization of our industrialization dream," said Barasa.

Perry Ajuma, a 23-year-old holder of a diploma in mechanical engineering, hailed the internship at Technical University of Kenya, where she is honing her expertise in the use of automated machines to produce metal parts.

The bubbly young engineer thanked China for facilitating her acquisition of technical skills that would be useful in future.

"I thank China for the computerized numerically controlled machines that have improved my technical knowhow," said Ajuma.