Thika: Hundreds of job seekers visited Thika Technical Training Institute for overseas job interviews organized by the State Department of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The initiative targeted trained skilled labour in areas of carpentry, welding, plumbing, electrical engineering, caregiving, and driving, among others, with the participants showing their hands-on prowess hoping the opportunity will finally offer them a lifeline to end their desperation of securing a job.
According to Kenya News Agency, which conducted the interviews, successful candidates would be placed in jobs in Dubai. Wanjiru promised favorable working conditions, decent salaries, and accommodation to recruits, urging them to secure essential documents like passports, good conduct certificates, and medical certificates in advance. She observed that with the growing demand for skilled labour abroad, such initiatives continue to offer a lifeline to Kenyan youth seeking better economic prospects.
Dinah Kibera, a representative of Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a who oversaw the process, emphasized the MP’s commitment to securing job opportunities for the youth, reassuring them of the legitimacy of the exercise. She, however, noted that the current opportunities mainly favored young men aged 22 and above, as Arab cultural norms often restrict women from roles such as carpentry and electrical work. She added that negotiations were underway to ensure equal opportunities for both genders, adding that more opportunities even in other countries are on the way.
Meanwhile, job seekers led by James Maina and Boniface Mutiso expressed optimism about securing employment, with many hoping the opportunity would improve their livelihoods. Maina and Mutiso, both electrical engineering certificate holders, welcomed the initiative, saying it had come at a crucial time after struggling to find jobs. They also expressed confidence that, with government involvement, the recruitment process would be fair and free from corruption.
“This could be the chance that shall end our joblessness. We hope the selection process will be fair and we get the jobs. We also ask for more of such opportunities even in other countries to help thousands of youths struggling to get employment opportunities locally,” said Mutiso.