Nairobi: The Ministry of Agriculture has dispatched 162 Kenyan youth from the Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA) to the United Kingdom as part of the Government of Kenya-United Kingdom Seasonal Workers Scheme (SWS).
According to Kenya News Agency, State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh emphasized that the Seasonal Workers Scheme is among the initiatives under the Youth Employment and Labour Mobility Initiatives pursued by President William Ruto's administration since 2022. In a speech delivered by the Secretary of Administration, Harun Khator, Dr. Ronoh noted that the Kenya School of Agriculture is one of the few Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions engaged in this endeavor across Africa.
Dr. Ronoh outlined the administration's commitment to transforming the economy through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), focusing on sectors like agriculture that have significant potential to drive economic recovery, growth, and job creation. He highlighted the evolving nature of agriculture, which is increasingly technology-driven, emphasizing the need for youth to be trained and technologically empowered.
The government has invested in institutional capacity development at KSA's main campus and satellite campuses to support youth training and competency development in agriculture. This investment enables KSA to offer Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) in Horticultural Production Courses, equipping trainees with job market-ready skills.
Since 2023, KSA has sent 392 students to work on UK farms under the Seasonal Workers Scheme, showcasing the success of the government's youth empowerment interventions. Dr. Ronoh assured the trainees of the quality training they have received and encouraged them to utilize their skills in the UK.
The trainees will further their practical learning in England and Scotland farms while earning remuneration during their six-month attachment, providing a dual benefit. Dr. Ronoh urged the youth to make the most of their time in the UK and to represent Kenya positively.