Members of the delegation from two Kenyan institutions met with instructors and students to discuss trades programs at NIC.
Delegates from Kenya toured NIC鈥檚 Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses this month as part of an initiative to increase employment opportunities for young people, particularly young women, in Kenya.
糖心vlog传媒is working with Vancouver Island University (VIU) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) as partners in the Young Africa Works in Kenya: Youth Employability Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative.
The international initiative is being implemented by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. It is part of a five-year initiative (2020-2025) with the Kenyan Ministry of Education, relevant government agencies and the private sector to increase youth workforce education in Kenya鈥檚 four major sectors: manufacturing, affordable housing, universal health care and food security, as well as the digital sector.
鈥溙切膙log传媒 is honoured to collaborate with provincial and international colleagues to strengthen opportunities for knowledge sharing and the advancement of timely trades and technical skills training,鈥� said Dr. Cheryl O鈥機onnell, Dean, Faculty of Trades and Technical Programs. 鈥淭his project is an opportunity to contribute to the college internationalization efforts and also to expand on meaningful partnerships with our colleagues in Canada and in Kenya.鈥�
The Kenyan delegation connected with instructors and students at two 糖心vlog传媒campuses.
"We were able to explore the trades programs at both the Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses. As a result, we have come to better understand about the opportunities being developed in Kenya for students,鈥� said Romana Pasca, NIC鈥檚 Manager, International Projects, Partnerships & Global Education.
The initiative, led by VIU, will see the Canadian partners institutions work with two Kenyan institutions -- Kisii National Polytechnic and Keroka Technical Training Institute -- to develop new programs in electrical, welding, and mechanical trades, while at the same time providing new opportunities for the staff and faculty of the Canadian institutions to apply their skills and knowledge internationally.
鈥淭he partnership will allow us to develop curriculum together, so that we can have common training practices,鈥� said David Mwangi, Principal, Kisii National Polytechnic.
鈥淚t has been important for us to see the kind of facilities and type of equipment needed for these programs in Canada. We also have been interested to learn more about the pathways for students: where to start students with varying levels of education and experience, and where each level of training should begin and end.鈥�
Over the next three years, new competency-based courses will be rolled out at each of the Kenyan partner institutions.
鈥淲e鈥檙e developing the courses in close collaboration with our Kenyan partners and putting a focus on competency-based teaching practice,鈥� said Darrell Harvey, VIU鈥檚 manager of global engagement. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 really at the heart of the second phase of this partnership, so our Kenyan colleagues can build internal capacity to support effective teaching and learning in the long term.鈥�
鈥淔or our institutions, it is crucial for us to learn about how the Canadian colleges are finding connections with industry and their communities, so that they can develop successful opportunities for students,鈥� said Haron Maosa, Principal, Keroka Technical Training Institute. 鈥淲e have explored discussions about funding models and how the relationship between apprentice and journeyman works to inspire and motivate students.鈥�
Funding from the Mastercard Foundation will help to ensure students in the Kenyan programs will use up-to-date equipment and technology to practice, so they are well prepared for work in the industry.
To explore more about NIC鈥檚 international partnerships with institutions around the world visit: .
Media Contact C: 250-207-6946 media@nic.bc.ca