The communication last week was mainly about a form three student who dreams of becoming an aeronitical engineer. What was not revealed is that there was another interesting case associated with the same motor garage that the student was keeping himself busy, during the 10 months coronavirus driven school break.
Rebecca was yet another colleague in the same garage. Her case was however different and somehow attracted my attention. Rebecca is in her mid-twenties, but very articulate in fixing of door locks and car alarm systems. That is quite a rare occupation for ladies. In fact, Rebecca is the only lady in that garage and it’s vicinity, who has skills on locks and alarm systems.
As such, I kept observing Rebecca while being attended to and was continually attracted by her activities. Much later, I created time to visit the garage, when we were already familiar with Rebecca. Her venturing into motor vehicle repairs, was of interest, thus engaging her on how it all started.
Rebecca: When I finished school, I acquired a job as a sales girl.
Me: What were you selling?
Rebecca: I was selling beauty products on commission basis and I did that for one year, but lost interest.
Me: Why so?
Rebecca: I felt attracted to doing things with my own hands and wondered what exactly I could engage in. Alongside, I started visiting jua Kali sheds and when I landed in this garage, I somehow became attracted to car alarms and locks repairs.
Me: Why this occupation particularly?
Rebecca: I realized that I didn’t have to soil myself working under vehicles. All I needed was to learn how alarms and locks are fixed and I am happy my boss accepted the training request.
Me: How long has the engagement been?
Rebecca: It’s currently 3 years and I am now fully conversant with the job.
Me: As you enjoy the work, do you also feel adequately compensated?
Rebecca: Yes indeed. After completing hands on training, I became competent enough and started looking for new opportunities. Interestingly, my boss made me a partner to avoid my departure. The share of revenue on repairs is now 40% for me, his share being 60%. I am now excited engaging in my work and may only leave this place in the future, when ready to start my own garage elsewhere.
Me: Keep it up and be thankful that you discovered your attraction to the work of your hands at an early age.
Why share this experience? Our school system totally failed, upon abandonment of the blue collar jobs empowerment pathway. It used to happen through technical education in both boys’ and girls’ secondary schools, which were spread in different parts of the country.
Skilled technicians of whatever kind were originating from these schools. Some could end up acquiring diploma courses, whereas others ended up pursuing university education that is aligned to technical skills. After abandonment of this empowerment pathway, those able to discover their orientations like Rebecca were left to rely on chancing. Sadly, only a few have been fortunate enough.
Attempts to revive the blue collar jobs pathway through TVET – Technical and Vocational Education Training have been ongoing. However, is the strategy properly structured? Since the pathway is largely attributable to those unqualified to join university, the same is assumed to be meant for failures. It is therefore not adequately popular, thus admitting only a small proportion of Kenyan students.
Of the 679,222 year 2019 KCSE Candidates 122,931 (18%) were admitted to join universities, whereas only 88,724 (13%) were admitted to join T-VET institutions, based on statistics from Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Services – KUCPS. That left 69% of the candidates floating, yet a huge majority could have joined T-VET had their empowerment strategy been popular enough.
Seemingly, we may have no choice but to re-introduce technical education, early enough in secondary schools, if expecting to maximize on empowerment of our future leaders. Banking on the current T-VET structure will certainly not achieve the desired benefits, in line with the ongoing 100% students’ transition. All that is likely to happen is delay of disempowerment of a huge majority by 4 years.
More still, the new Competency Based Curriculum – CBC continues taking shape, whereas technical education is captured in one of the CBC empowerment pathways. Thus, embarking early on technical education becomes inevitable. Besides, improvement of performance flows naturally, once necessary alignment of studies is appropriately put in place, doesn’t it?
Meanwhile, we are continually inspired by:-
1 … …”The MOE appreciates your passion for the youth, especially through your publications guiding on Career paths,”… wrote the Director of Quality Assurance & Standards, MOE, Jogoo Hse, 30th Oct 2019
- ….”I notice that you have adequately dealt with career issues that I have found with students, over the years. You have also given good advice on lost dreams caused by parents, who force their children to pursue the courses they themselves missed out,”.. wrote Professor Jamila Hassanali of Pwani University, Kilifi on 08/10/2018. Having seen our concept online, she secured a hard copy of the same, thus the interesting feedback
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Consultant/Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Officially UNSUNG Architect of CBC
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254772516210
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