The Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has invited Managing Directors and senior staff of small-scale local construction firms to undergo intensive training to acquire requisite skills in managing the business.
In a notice published in the local dailies, KeRRA revealed that the contractors and senior staff would be trained on how to carry out road improvements and maintenance operations effectively.
The training will also involve labour-based methods for the rehabilitation of roads to low-volume sealed standards. Following the training, the contractors will be required to undergo road maintenance in six counties comprising Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Samburu, Isiolo and Marsabit.
"In this connection, KeRRA now invites small-scale local construction firms interested in carrying out low volume seal road rehabilitation works in the above-mentioned counties to apply for consideration for training," read part of the notice.
KeRRA will use part of the funds from the European Union to cater for the training project.
Required Qualification
Managing Directors seeking to be selected in the training regime will be required to have three minimum qualifications including a minimum KCSE grade D+ and above, an additional technical or professional training and a labour-based R2000 contractors training certificate from the Kenya Institute Of Highways & Building Technology (KIHBT).
Site supervisors will be required to possess a Diploma in Civil Engineering, and a KIHBT training certificate and must have supervised at least one R2000 gravelling project.
R2000 strategy involves the use of local resources to rehabilitate and maintain roads to an optimum standard.
Training Duration
Managing Directors will undergo a 3-week training course including two weeks in the classroom in Isiolo and a week for practical training on the demonstration road in Isiolo.
Site Supervisors will undergo a 5-week course including three weeks in Isiolo and two weeks for practical training on the demonstration road in Isiolo.
Selection
KeRRA will vet all applications and select candidates meeting the set criteria for an interview session. The second stage will involve oral and written interviews to ascertain the suitability of the candidates and establish the validity of the information provided.
The final stage involves verification of the authenticity of all information provided and recommendation to KeRRA for formal invitation for training.
Following the selection process, 25 Managing Directors and 50 site supervisors will be invited for training.
"Only those contractors who complete the training course successfully will be considered in carrying out low volume seal road works by labour-based methods," KeRRA stated.
A committal fee of Ksh50,000 to cover 20 per cent of the training cost will be required to be made.
Those who complete the course will earn up to 30 accredited points. According to the National Construction Authority (NCA), contractors are required to attend a training program worth at least 10 accredited points annually for the renewal of the practicing licence.
