The Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy Dr Guo Ce said on Wednesday they are willing to explore more convenient and efficient training platforms and strengthen human resource cooperation with Kenya/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 21 – The Chinese Government has made a commitment to provide more professional training and technical skills transfer to Kenyan workers in a bid to support the manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing, which is part of the President’s Big Four Agenda, largely relies on technical knowledge and practical skills.
The Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy Dr Guo Ce said on Wednesday they are willing to explore more convenient and efficient training platforms and strengthen human resource cooperation with Kenya.
“The purpose is to help Kenyan people to be equipped with advanced knowledge and skills to transform Kenya’s huge demographic dividend into a real development advantage as we continue to deepen the good relations between the two countries,” said Guo.
Guo announced that more training programs will be rolled out next year which will include short-term training and scholarships.
In September this year during the China-Africa Cooperation Beijing summit, China’s President Xi Jinping stressed the need to implement capacity building initiative and provide human resources training for Africa.
Dr Guo dispelled fears of the high presence of Chinese companies in Kenya who are mostly involved in construction projects saying they are here to assist local staff with skills.
“As more Chinese companies come here, we profoundly understand the importance of talent training and technology transfer,” he said.
Dr Guo also addressed concerns that Chinese nationals are taking over Kenyan jobs especially at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and in construction projects.
“I want to disagree with that because the skilful Chinese staff are only assisting in technical transfer to Kenyan workers who will finally take over and manage the projects,” he said.
China will also help to expand the Railway Training Institute so as to train more Kenyan students who upon completing the training can run SGR operations and other companies.
A total of 75 police officers drawn from various security agencies tasked with protecting Kenya’s Railway network have been trained in various institutions in China notably the railway police college in Zhengzhou, equipping them with the relevant skills in railway management and policing.
According to statistics, Chinese enterprises have offered more than 60,000 opportunities for training managers, doctors, skilled workers, teachers and other industry personnel for Kenya.
The Chinese Government has also funded thousands of Kenyan students to China to study various courses who after returning will use the knowledge for development of industry in the country.
About The Author
