Isuzu East Africa and Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP) have agreed to collaborate on a Partnership Program aimed at enhancing the skills of students to meet global automotive industry standards. The program will involve selecting the top automotive students from KCNP to participate in a one-year course that covers both theoretical and practical skills related to automotive repairs and maintenance. Upon completion, the students will join the Isuzu network to put their newly acquired skills into practice.
Collaborative efforts such as this partnership can help pinpoint areas of opportunity in the market that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions should address through effective training programs that align with market demands. This is because the focus has shifted from mere education and training to equipping young people with practical skills that will be useful in their future careers.
According to Mary Muthoka, Chief Principal of Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, technological advancements and evolving market requirements are disrupting the way automotive solutions are offered and delivered. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the industry to work together with educational institutions to promote skills development among students and the next generation of talent.
Isuzu EA Managing Director, Rita Kavashe, expressed her expectations that the partnership will close the gap between the automotive industry and academia by enhancing the technological skill sets of automotive engineering students. KCNP students will have the opportunity to conduct in-depth research and gain insights into the intricate details of advanced automotive systems, covering topics such as fuel systems, engines, ignition systems, vehicle chassis, body engineering, and more. Kavashe believes that this will empower future innovators with first-hand knowledge of automotive systems, making them industry-ready for Isuzu or other market opportunities.
Isuzu EA Board Chairman, Hiroshi Hisatomi, commented that the company aims to impact communities around them through market experience and innovative logistics solutions. The partnership with KCNP will help grow communities sustainably by building experts who can add value to themselves and future generations.
Isuzu EA has previously taken steps towards educating and fostering skill development in the automotive industry, with such initiatives serving as a platform for brainstorming new technologies and inspiring young people to innovate for the automotive industry.
