Finlays Community Trust, an independent charity that is funded collaboratively by Browns Plantations Kenya and Finlays, has awarded full Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) scholarships to 40 deserving students from Bomet and Kericho counties, marking a major milestone in its commitment to skills development and educational empowerment.
Each student will receive full tuition support to pursue technical courses at Belgut and Konoin Technical Training Institutes, along with a start-up toolkit worth KSh 50,000 upon graduation. The total investment in this year’s scholarships amounts to KSh 8.7 million.
Speaking during the event, Ambassador Joshua Terer, Vice Chairperson of the Finlays Community Trust Board of Trustees, reaffirmed the Trust’s unwavering belief in education as the cornerstone of sustainable community development.
“This marks the second year of our TVET Scholarship Programme, and we are delighted to continue this journey of empowerment and transformation. We believe that this initiative will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our communities. By investing in education, we are laying the foundation for a prosperous and skilled workforce capable of driving Kenya’s industrial and economic growth,” said Ambassador Joshua Terer.
The scholarship programme goes beyond tuition support. Through a strategic partnership with Browns Plantations Kenya, graduates will access industrial attachments and job placement opportunities to enhance their hands-on experience and marketability.
In a show of continued support for the TVET sector, Finlays Community Trust has constructed modern workshops and training facilities at Chepseon Youth Polytechnic and Sot Technical Training Institute, helping create conducive environments for hands-on learning. The Trust has also invested over KSh 317 million in 79 education infrastructure projects in Bomet and Kericho counties, including classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, libraries, and modern TVET workshops.
In a speech read on her behalf by Dr. Bernard Isalambo, Director of CBET – Implementation and Delivery, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, the Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), commended Browns Plantations Kenya and the Trust for its targeted and impactful investments in youth development.
“I wholeheartedly commend this remarkable achievement, which reflects a steadfast commitment to educational empowerment and stands as an initiative worthy of national recognition,” said Dr. Muoria.
“The TVET scholarship programme not only supports access to skills training but also plays a critical role in addressing poverty, inequality, and unemployment in our rural communities.”
Since its inception in 2021, Finlays Community Trust has steadily expanded its scholarship portfolio to benefit learners across all levels, from secondary to postgraduate studies. To date, the Trust has awarded scholarships to 586 secondary school students, 80 TVET students (including the current cohort), 428 undergraduate students, and 25 graduate students, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to over 1,100.
In 2023, the Trust also launched a student mentorship programme that has since reached over 11,000 learners across 11 schools, equipping them with critical soft skills and guidance for life after school.
