Kajiado County Introduces Mentorship Programme for Secondary School Students
From kajiado.go.ke
Forty students from Olkejuado High School are set to benefit from a one of a kind work mentorship program fronted by the County Government through the Department of Education and Vocational Training. The one week program will see students, most of them in their formative years of secondary education, attached to various county departments in line with their career aspirations to have a feel of the work environment as they learn from and interact with the professionals on the jobs.
Speaking in his office as he hosted the students during the launch of the mentorship program, Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho praised the school head for adopting such an impactful initiative that will breed future leaders and professionals through mentorship. He said the government is keen on ensuring transformative and competency based skills and such initiatives are bound to change the lives of the students once they complete their attachment and school later on.
“By embracing such mentorship programs we are moulding all rounded youth and future leaders capable of transforming our society,” he remarked.
Moshisho said it was commendable that the interns already had career aspirations and promised to ensure that they are accommodated in the relevant departments to have a feel of awhat their careers are all about. He asked them to maintain discipline at all times to be able to succeed in their careers.
On his part Education CS Jeremiah Ncharo said mentorship programs outside the school environment should be encouraged to enable students appreciate work and life after school. He said the students will benefit from observing professional at work and urged them to be open minded to learn the demands of their choice careers while on internship. “ You are the people who will take up the positions in the county government once we retire; this can only happen if you are disciplined and focused,” challenged Seki.
His sentiments were shared by the County Secretary, Samuel Seki who urged the interns to be proactive in asking questions and learn within the one week period they interact with county officers: According to James Pasianny, the school principal, the ongoing mentorship program sets aside the one week mandatory attachment in a work environment to give the students a feel of their careers in a work setup. He said once complete the students will will graduate early next year having been empowered through this process.
“We considered mentorship in the County Government as opposed to private organizations because we believe we have the best professionals working here,” he said. It is expected that during their one week mentorship, the students will intern in key county departments such as Health, Engineering, Accounts, Roads and Public Works, Administration among others.
The program dubbed Olkejuado Leaders League (OLL) in partnership with the County government is seeking to train and empower future leaders
