Garissa County, located in the arid areas of northern Kenya, faces acute water shortage due to limited rainfall. The communities in this region primarily depend on water resources comprising of boreholes, dams, water pans, and wells. However, these community watering points face persistent challenges, including the frequent breakdown of equipment, poorly maintained water facilities, and leakages leading to substantial water losses.
Recognizing the urgency of addressing these issues, the ILO PROSPECTS programme in collaboration with the County Government of Garissa and SITE Enterprise Promotion, implemented a three-month training course at the Vocational Training Centre to train Water Systems Operators (WROs) to address challenges at the water points and to ensure consistent supply of water in the communities.
The course, “Building skills in masonry, plumbing, water pumping equipment and systems operations for community water system operators” is designed to equip trainees with both knowledge and hands-on skills. “The objective is to empower WRO’s to undertake skilled maintenance of equipment and utility structures such as animal drinking troughs, water kiosks and water piping systems. This, in turn, ensures the optimal performance of the water facilities installed at the community water points,” explains Lilyanne Velo, National Programme Coordinator for Enterprise Development, ILO PROSPECTS Kenya.
This week marks a significant milestone as 18 trainees from the local community and county government successfully graduated from the program. These newly graduated community WROs are poised to play a crucial role by complementing the County Water Department. Operating under the supervision of the County technical team, they will provide essential technical services to enhance water infrastructure in the region.
When asked about his experience of the course, Noor Hassan a WRO from the Skanska water point says, “As an operator working without training, I wanted to learn technical skills and get a college certificate to enable me to negotiate employment terms and serve my community. Now I have not one skill but many.” Along with six existing WROs, 12 new candidates completed the course. WROs make income of 6,000 to 10,000 Kenyan Shillings (USD 40 to 70) every month.
Admitting the impact of the course on management, instructors, and the institution, Ahmed Adan, Principal of the Garissa Vocational Training Centre (VTC), said, “The introduction of tailored short courses, attuned to the demands of the job market, has sparked significant interest among trainees enrolled in regular 2-year programs. Furthermore, the institution now boasts cutting-edge training equipment and tools, elevating the overall learning experience for its students.”
“These activities underscore the ILO's commitment to sustainable capacity building, institutional recognition, and the widespread cultivation of expertise in water systems operations to ensure the resilience and efficacy of water facilities for the benefit of communities and the region at large,” concludes Caroline Njuki, Chief Technical Advisor, ILO PROPECTS Kenya
