With the aid of two other British Columbia postsecondary partners, Vancouver Island University (VIU) is eyeing to increase its international cooperation initiatives in East Africa.
The Young Africa Works in Kenya: Youth Employability Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative is a collaboration between VIU, North Island College (NIC), and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
Key Takeaways:
- With the cooperation of two other BC post-secondary partners, Vancouver Island University (VIU) plans to expand its international collaboration initiatives in East Africa.
- VIU’s international initiatives are part of a five-year partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Education, other government organizations, and the corporate sector.
- The initiative intends to provide more job options for Kenyan youth, particularly young women.
The initiative, being implemented by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, aims to increase employment opportunities for young people in Kenya, particularly young women.
VIU’s international efforts are a part of a five-year initiative with Kenya’s Ministry of Education, relevant government agencies, and the private sector.
Specifically, the partnership aims to increase youth workforce participation in Kenya’s “Big Four” sectors: manufacturing, affordable housing, universal health coverage, food security, and the digital sector (2020-2025).
The program also aims to establish and strengthen regulations that encourage safe learning settings, as well as provide administrators with gender equality training and government officials with awareness-raising workshops.
VIU will undertake two three-and-a-half-year institutional partnerships through the initiative, leading a CA$1.1 million partnership with BCIT and NIC and supporting a second CA$900,000 partnership with Humber College, based on recent cooperation projects in Kenya.
VIU and its partners will collaborate with four Kenyan institutions to develop new programs in electrical, welding, and mechanical trades, while also giving VIU staff and faculty new opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge internationally.
Kisii National Polytechnic, Keroka Technical Training Institute, Sigalagala National Polytechnic, and Bondo Technical Training Institute are among the Kenyan institutions involved.
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