HF Foundation holds forum to mentor artisans

HF Foundation on Thursday hosted a mentorship forum for 72 artisans in their offices at Rehani House in Nairobi. The artisans are part of the Foundation’s ongoing training and internship programme aimed at improving the quality of technical skills in the construction industry.

The programme, which was rolled out in partnership with the German Corporation for International Development (GIZ), supports trainees in selected institutions to gain hands-on training in occupations related to the construction sector and facilitates practical internship opportunities.

Speaking during the event, Caroline Sikasa, the senior programmes manager of HF Foundation, called for improvement of technical skills and enhancement of a robust curriculum for technical courses. This, she said, would help bridge the widening technical skills gap in Kenya.

“The programme will ensure competency based education and training which is demand driven and  promotes enterprise culture so as to offer a wide range of employment opportunities to the youth,” said Ms Sikasa.

The success of the programme is attributed to the partnership with industry contractors such as Ultra Power Systems, Josil Construction Limited, Endeavors Company Limited, Richland Pointe Development, iJenga, Aggregate Construction Limited and Project Manager Kenyatta University. The program was also made a big success by the contribution from the training institutions that provided the classroom learning.

They include Lamu Vocational training Centre, Kisii National Polytechnic, Emining Technical Training Institute, Wote Technical Training Institute. SOS Technical Training Institute, Kiirua Technical Training Institute, Kitere Technical Training Institute, Mukurweini Technical Training Institute and Nyeri National Polytechnic.

The 72 artisans were awarded certificates for having completed their 3 month internship training in the trades of masonry, plumbing, building and construction and electrical installation. The forum is the 4^th to be held since inception of the program, which is expected to run between 2017 and 2018, targeting an overall of 450 trainees.

Present at the event were contractors and representatives from industry bodies such as the National Construction Authority (NCA) who advised the artisans on industry best practice and career prospects.

The mentorship programme is aligned to the Vision 2030 flagship project aimed at bridging the technical skills gap in the country. Through the Foundation, HF Group is the first private sector player to spearhead this Vision 2030 flagship project.

The initiative builds on HF Foundation’s continued commitment to improve overall skills in the construction sector.