National Assembly Committee Urges NITA to Enhance Training Programs for Labour Migration
In a recent session, the National Assembly’s Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers has directed the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) to revamp its training programs to align with modern technology, aiming to tackle escalating competition from neighboring nations.
During discussions concerning NITA’s role in the labor migration framework, legislators probed into the nature of training provided by the Authority for domestic workers seeking opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hon. Lydia Haika, Chairperson of the Committee, underscored concerns raised by Private Recruiting Agencies regarding the prolonged training duration, which reportedly hinders candidates from securing opportunities abroad promptly.
“The repercussions of prolonged training are palpable. Can NITA adopt a more agile training approach to ensure readiness when opportunities arise? Can the Authority maintain a pool of trained individuals awaiting placement?” queried Hon. Haika.
Responding to the inquiry, Ms. Mary Wamoko, Acting Director of Labour Migration at NITA, echoed the sentiment, advocating for a mass production training strategy.
The Committee also questioned NITA’s omission of foreign language training and sought clarification on the number of candidates trained thus far.
Mr. Gerald Kirimi, Director of Corporate Services, explained that while the focus has primarily been on Saudi Arabia, NITA intends to diversify by incorporating foreign language training, acknowledging the expanding business landscape.
Mr. Kirimi disclosed that over the past three years, NITA has trained over 200,000 domestic workers in home-care management and pre-departure training, emphasizing the pivotal role of labor export in bolstering Kenya’s economy.
Closing the session, Mr. Kirimi implored the Committee’s support for proposed amendments to the Industrial Training Act CAP 237, indicating that the Bill aims to dissolve the Authority.
“We are also in the process of amending our principal Act – The Industrial Training Act CAP 237, and we seek the support of Honorable Members to endorse the Bill,” urged Mr. Kirimi.
Hon. Haika commended NITA for the constructive dialogue and urged the Authority to enhance its visibility while advocating for inclusivity of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in their initiatives.
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