i. The Archbishop Okoth Vocational Training Centre; hereafter referred to as ARVTC is registered in accordance with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act 2013, Kenya and approved by Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) as Technical Examination Centre No. 39734101 through the Directorate of Technical Accreditation and Quality Assurance.
ii. ARVTC is located at LR. NO. 43620/IV/14 in Koru Central Sub – Location, Koru location in Muhoroni Sub – County within Kisumu County in Western Kenya. It is about 78 Km North East of Kisumu City and 28 Km off the Kisumu – Nairobi highway. The VTC is positioned 1000m above sea level thus Rain fed crop production takes place in this area which is as well conducive for the rearing of livestock. The VTC lies within an industrial area in which are located the factories of Homalime Co.Ltd, Muhoroni Sugar.Co Ltd and Agrochemical and food Co.ltd.
iii. The existence of ARVTC has very much been seen as an appropriate Tertiary Educational Establishment able to assist both young people and adult to enable them to pursue Technical Education locally due to its solidarity with the environment in which it is situated.
iv. ARVTC has since its revival in 2008 expanded further to incorporate relevant ICT courses, craft certificate courses, alongside other artisan courses and this has resulted in a public/private partnership that has helped us achieve the following:
a) Refurbishing and equipping of the old Polytechnic building through the support of the donors from the Isle of Man. Construction of 2 additional Tuition blocks that presently host various courses through funding from the National Government Constituency Development Fund and the Isle of Man which contributed Kshs. 1 000 000 towards the furnishing of internal structures of the CDF building. The National Government provided the funds to build and complete the second Tuition Block that houses the IT suite and the Hair and Beauty Therapy Salon
b) Other constructions so far realized through the support from the Isle of Man Includes the structure presently hosting the Administrative Office and the Carpentry Workshop and with these additional infrastructures, the present Management Team is able to offer the following academic courses listed below:
i). ICT Diploma Knec ii). ICT Certificate iii). Building Technology iv). Fashion Design and Garment Making Technology v). Electrical Installation vi). Carpentry & Joinery vii). Motor Vehicle Mechanics etc.
c) With the increase of courses being offered, it has required the VTC to hire additional qualified instructors. The staffing cohort now consists of the following. (see organogram)
i. Senior Manager ii). Assistant Manager iii). Dean of school iv). Six HOD of Department v). 3x Instructors vi). Counselor vii). Office Manager & Financial Clerk viii). Support staff ix). 3x Groundmen (17 staff paid by Sponsor) x). County Government Financial Manager
d) I.O.M donors have also provided sponsorship for needy students on a yearly basis. Students sponsorship also comes from local donors who have supported the VTC for many years. This sponsorship has assisted the VTC in the management of the financial needs of the VTC. County Government Subsidies through the Ministry of Education Science and Technology has been of invaluable help in helping poor and needy students to access relevant educational opportunity at the VTC.
e) All staff salaries except the County Government Sponsored Manager have been paid through sponsorships from I.O.M donors.
This has enabled the Manager and BOG to select and ensure that any staff employed are employed on the basis of the organizations need and the expertise and commitment of the appointed Instructor.
f) Having external sponsorship for 99% of the staffing requirements has meant that over the years staff are appointed in terms of their commitment and expertise. The staff as a body form a united and cohesive work force.
g) Access to student’s scholarship support from the Isle of Man and other National as well as County Government’s tuition Subsidies through the Ministry of Education Science and Technology has come a long way in helping the management mitigate the persistent lack of school fees amongst many needy students enrolled allowing them to pursue various courses within this Institution
