Kisumu Polytechnic is set to commission a Kes 1.2 billion textile technology factory to develop skills and competencies to drive the sector.

The facility targets to develop the regional textile industry by providing high-quality training, problem-solving, research, innovation, and technology transfer.

The World Bank (WB) funds the facility through the EAST Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP).

According to Kisumu National Polytechnic Chief Principal Catherine Kelonye, the construction work was at 85% completion, and the contractor was expected to finalize and hand over the site by the end of this financial year.

She said that part of the modern equipment sourced from China and India has already been received at the institution and will be installed ahead of the commissioning of the facility in July.

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The institution has developed the relevant curriculum and is set to roll out eight textile technology programs in May this year.

Further, she revealed that the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) has already posted trainers for the programs, which she added were set to revolutionize the textiles industry in the country.

She said that Kisumu National Polytechnic is the only institution in the country with a learning industry, adding that learners will have hands-on training to prepare them for the job market.

“We are going to have a dual model, where the training will take place in class and at the industry on a 50-50 basis. Kisumu National Polytechnic is the only institution in the country with this model. We are also the only institution that is doing the curriculum and occupational standards under textile technology,” he said.

To scale up the training, Kisumu National Polytechnic, she said, has partnered with many institutions to roll out the programs.

“All the other institutions will offer the course as per the programmes of Kisumu National Polytechnic. The certification will also be done by us,” she said.