For years, countless talented youths have faced immense challenges in proving their abilities, often held back by the lack of formal training or certifications to showcase their skills.
Despite honing their expertise through practical life experiences, many remain sidelined, losing out on employment opportunities in government institutions, private companies, and even international platforms.
However, a wave of hope has swept through Nyandarua County, where over 350 youth now have a reason to rejoice.
The county government has officially unveiled the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to validate the skills of these capable individuals and offer professional certification without the need for traditional schooling.
At the launch event, Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha outlined the RPL program’s vision, highlighting its focus on identifying, assessing, and certifying the talents of young individuals.
This pioneering process will be conducted at Vocational Training Centers, where participants will be evaluated. Those who meet the criteria will receive certification from the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
The governor emphasized a crucial point—lack of formal education has been a long-standing barrier preventing skilled youth from accessing opportunities in both public and private sectors as well as on international stages.
This gap has not only stunted their personal growth but also deprived the county and nation of the significant contributions these individuals could make to economic and social progress. Governor Badilisha described the program as more than just skill validation—it’s a transformative step.
By officially recognizing these capabilities, the initiative aims to empower skilled youths to achieve their potential while uplifting their standard of living.
Beyond individual benefits, this program seeks to fuel national economic growth and help combat pressing social challenges.
In its initial phase, the program will assess 350 candidates across Nyandarua’s Vocational Training Centers through government sponsorship, providing them with NITA-accredited certification.
Echoing these sentiments, Peter Njiru from NITA lauded the program as an example of how youth talent can be effectively harnessed for societal change.
He stressed that initiatives like this don’t just impact lives at an individual level—they create ripples of positive transformation throughout communities.
With programs like RPL, the future looks brighter for skilled but previously unrecognized individuals eager to contribute to their communities and beyond.
