Gichimu Njeri

At only 26 years of age, Vera Chepkorir is an officer of the Narok County government.

That in itself is worth commending, given that the civil service is majorly run by much older officers.

Ms Chepkorir is a youth leader who works in the TVET department and had the chance to sit with Pulse Contributor Gichimu Njeri for an enlightening chat.

Here are her thoughts on why getting skills is the best option for the youths.

Who is Miss Vera Chepkorir?

Vera Chepkorir is a 26-year-old former student leader from Moi University. Currently, I work for the County Government of Narok as a Youth Officer at the Department of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

I am a teacher of English and Literature by profession.&nbsp;

Youth matters on leadership, education, and governance are personal to you, why?

I believe that the youth should be at the forefront in matters of leadership and governance because we form 70% of the Kenyan total population.

There's a need to inject fresh ideas and energy into the system. This can only be done if we get out of our comfort zones, seize the opportunities and take up leadership positions.

We can only bring forth changes if we are part and parcel of the system. What I abhor and discourage is laziness for the youth who sit down and think they will land on a silver platter.&nbsp;

Given a chance to advise a form four leaver on the next course of action, what would you tell them?

Let me be particular about those who did not attain the minimum entry grade (C+) for university, through the Kenya University and College Central Placement Service -KUCCPS. All is not lost.

The government has injected resources for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). There's no excuse as to why they cannot join these institutions since the government provides HELB Loans for trainees.&nbsp;

Vocational Training Centers formerly known as Village Polytechnics admit trainees with the lowest qualification as Class 8 certificates, where the government also provides subsidies and grants that cater for the tuition fees.&nbsp;

I want to emphasize TVET because that's where individuals acquire hands-on skills for employability.&nbsp;

Is there any conflict between skills and knowledge? What would be your preference?

Yes. There's a huge conflict between skills and knowledge because the latter is perceived to be more prestigious than the former.

It has been a tradition that everybody should go to school so they can join University and later secure white-collar jobs. Where then do we leave the 70% of the population who don't qualify for KUCCPS?

I prefer the Skills offered in our TVET colleges than pursuing some university courses that eventually render most of the youth jobless and frustrated.

Most of these economic giants like China and Japan have embraced skills rather than knowledge. A country that focuses on production more than consumption is economically prosperous.

The incumbent Kenyan government has tried to focus on manufacturing and housing as part of the big four agenda. Where will we find the skills and expertise? I am encouraging any youth to join the nearest TVET institution. The world is going TVET!

You are a strong proponent of TVET, are there enough courses for all the learners in your county or the learners just replicate the commonly known skills?

There are a variety of courses ranging from manufacturing courses, building and construction courses e.g.&nbsp;carpentry, plumbing, electrical courses, to fashion design, tailoring and garment making, catering, hairdressing,&nbsp;among others.

These courses can never be replicated because the main objective is that the trainees can acquire these hands-on skills for self-employment.

What advice would you offer to the jobless youths without capital?

Start small and be patient.&nbsp;We've seen renowned businessmen and women make use of little capital and eventually build strong household brands. Jerusalem was not built in a day and a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.&nbsp;

What does it take to be a youth leader?

To be a youth leader takes bravery and resilience. Be a person who is always ready to seize the opportunity, building networks across all boards and of course honing exemplary leadership skills.

Comment on the future of the youth in governance and leadership.

I see a futuristic youth leadership and governance that will have the youth on the decision-making tables and boardrooms. However, we need to start now for tomorrow never comes. The slogan that keeps me going is a French phrase: Carpe Diem (seize the moment).

The foregoing is an Interview Article submitted to Pulse Live Kenya for publication as part of the Pulse Contributors initiative.

Pulse Contributors is an initiative to highlight diverse journalistic voices. Pulse Contributors do not represent the company Pulse and contribute on their own behalf.

Should you wish to submit an Article to Pulse, do so via contributors@pulse.co.ke.

Gichimu Njeri (pictured) is a bilingual wordsmith, poet and a seasoned educator who loves reading. He has a soft spot for matters youth and children which make them major characters in his works.&nbsp;"Jomo and the Wild Cats", "Whitened Black and Other Poems"&nbsp;and&nbsp;"Ari ya Pasha"&nbsp;are some of his published works.

Narok County Youth Officer Vera Chepkorir

Why TVET is the way to go

Meet Vera Chepkorir, government worker with a message for unemployed Kenyans [Pulse Contributor's Interview]

After the release of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, a debate has arisen on the grades scored and the impact on the future. The debate has created a crazy division to the extent of brushing off the importance of education. Well, the battle is unnecessary and the direction taken is absurd; extremely uncalled for.&nbsp;Stooping to the level of dismissing the significance of education was a little bit off the line.

At the advent of the conversation, it is important to state that education is a crucial element in our social wellbeing. Every aspect of our lives can be attained through education. Dismissing good grades or making fun of them is a new low. We cannot sacrifice learners who have worked so hard to achieve the best possible grades at the altar of bitterness. Good work must be celebrated and rewarded accordingly. Any move to taint their image is a futile one and ill-informed.

The Best Approach

The conversation we should be having is how to find harmony between the top performers and the rest. In other words, finding a central position where skills and education are brought to par ought to be our concern. The invalid argument that the educated work for the uneducated stands on the wrong ground as it means that all the educated have little or no skill at all. Entrepreneurial skills are not limited to those who do not pursue higher learning; in contrast, when they do, they have better chances of success since they start from an informed point of view; based on the various case studies.

Good governance in society can be measured by the level of empowerment in the education system. If education were as bad as it is painted by some quarters. The governments across the world would not be spending so heavily on the education structures and system. Kenya spent Sh.494.8 billion on education in 2019 according to the budgetary allocations.&nbsp;United Kingdom budgetary allocation for education in 2019/20 was £90.3 billion while the United States of America spent $612.7 billion. This shows the seriousness given by the governments to education.

The Giant in the House

Another area of concern is the choices learners make when joining institutions of higher learning. Most learners pursue the courses posted to them by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) in the Kenyan context. Rarely do they pursue what they are passionate about. This brings out a bunch of learners who have no interest in the careers they are trained for. And this is the breed of educated people who are mocked by society.&nbsp;

The rate of youth unemployment which stands at 38.9 per cent, according to Census 2019 data, also paints the educated Kenyans negatively. It makes educated youths appear to have wasted time learning.

The solutions to the problems highlighted are simple; learners should pursue what they are passionate about and the government should create more employment opportunities.

The foregoing is an Opinion Article submitted to Pulse Live Kenya for publication as part of the Pulse Contributors initiative.

Education CS George Magoha during a tour of Kisumu and Vihiga counties

Education is a priority, never an option

Do good KCSE grades and degrees matter for future success? [Pulse Contributor's Opinion]

In May 2021, the Senate of Kenya welcomed interns to Parliament.

In a rare spectacle where the politicians were honest and delivered a true message of hope, the members of the senate - led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen - dissected the significance of internships.

We are at the age where every student aspires to grow sporadically after schooling.&nbsp;

The fantasy of living in mansions and driving Ferraris instantaneously is usually nagging. Sadly, very few know the survival reality of the world.

There are chances to be so; scarce is the word to give attention. Due process is always the best option; in this case the internships.

1. Learn from experts

The best way to become a master in any field is to accept tutelage and internships provide one with the necessities of the chosen career path.

The gap between the classroom theories and the practical application of the acquired knowledge is filled during the internship programs. As an intern, one can test whether what they thought was their line is the true calling or it was a mere misconception.

The general conclusion on this matter is that for one to be a good professional, exposure to the masters is the best foundation. That is the ideal way, however; it should never be misconstrued as a highway for becoming copycats, when it is a way of learning the basics, the foundations, and then exploring based on one’s creativity.

This message is not reserved for those who are in colleges desiring to get into the corporate world, but also for those in all other fields such as leadership and governance.

Time spent in internship programs is important for professionals. It is the incubation period for growing wings in the professional ladder.

2. Opportunities

Numerous private organizations are offering internships, fellowships andeven graduate trainee programmes.

Of more interest however, should be the opportunities being offered by government continental and international organizations.

The Public Service Commission (PSC), in 2019 took 3,100 university graduates for internship placement within the public service.

One can apply for these internship opportunities, once they are announced, on the PSC website via <a href="http://www.psckjobs.go.ke/Internship.aspx">this link</a>.

Such an internship is a good foot in the door should one need to apply for a vacancy within the department where they provided their expertise.

The African Union (AU) also has an ongoing internship program which is renewable upon re-application after three months. Apply <a href="http://internship.aucareers.org">here</a>.

Global institutions such as the Africa Leadership University, the Young African Leaders Initiative and the Mastercard Foundation are also a good place to start.

Secret of readership

Apart from the internships, another brilliant way of learning for youths who would love to be leaders is reading.

Reading great autobiographies and biographies of leaders such as former U.S. President Barrack Obama and the late former South African President Nelson Mandela can be very resourceful. The slogan that readers are leaders has great truths.

In the biographies, leaders share their stories in details that hardly hit the news headlines. One gets the opportunity to learn not just from their public lives but also from their social life struggles.

If for instance former President Obama in his book, A Promised Land discusses the importance of having a strong team that supported and believed in his dream, his family struggles and sacrifices, an aspiring leader should be psychologically prepared for such experiences.

In a wrap, the lesson for the youthful leaders reading this piece is; learn as much as possible. Learn through internship programs, readership of biographies from leaders in your area of interest.

To be informed is to be armed, to be armed is to be ready and one who is ready has no excuse to hesitate from pursuing their dreams and aspirations.

The foregoing is an Article submitted by Gichimu Njeri to Pulse Live Kenya for publication, it does not necessarily represent the position of the publisher.

The Editor's desk welcomes opinion pieces from our fans as part of our Contributors Initiative. At Pulse, we believe that every voice deserves to be heard.

___6757707___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___6757707___2017___5___30___14___Internship-and-student

Due process is always the best option

2 reasons Kenyan youth should consider starting a career with Internship [Pulse Contributor's Opinion]

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Gichimu Njeri

Articles written by the author

Meet Vera Chepkorir, government worker with a message for unemployed Kenyans [Pulse Contributor's Interview]

Do good KCSE grades and degrees matter for future success? [Pulse Contributor's Opinion]

2 reasons Kenyan youth should consider starting a career with Internship [Pulse Contributor's Opinion]