Saskatchewan Polytechnic is working with a vocational college in Kenya to improve its automotive and welding programs. Director of International Projects, Angela Wojcichowsky says in Kenya and other developing countries there is often a mismatch between the skills being taught and what is needed.

Unlike the Polytech system where instructors come from industry, in Kenya, the instructors are teachers. Through this project, Sask Polytech will bring in local industry stakeholders to help with the assessment of what is needed, and there will be professional development so the teachers have more skills, which then benefits the students and the automotive and welding industry.

Wojcichowsky adds that right now the Weru College in Kenya has no welding equipment, which makes it even more challenging to learn the trade. New state-of-the-art welding and automotive equipment will be supplied from this international project. Funding comes from Colleges and Institutes Canada in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.