Nuru Regional Training College Launches in Isebania
Nuru Kenya’s Regional Training College (NRTC) began offering its first semester of courses in October 2024 in Isebania, Kenya. Nuru Kenya is excited to close the gap in educational opportunities within the region by offering professional training that equips farmers, rural entrepreneurs, and youth with the skills necessary to acquire employment and thrive in their careers. The NRTC is fully accredited by Technical and Vocational Education Authority (TVETA) and National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) as a learning institution that provides a blended learning environment to students through traditional classroom learning combined with experiential learning.
Hostels and Classrooms at NRTC
NRTC Closes the Gap in Educational Opportunities
Isebania is located about 400 kilometers from Kenya’s capital city of Nairobi, drastically limiting opportunities for professional growth through education. Recognizing the need to further support rural entrepreneurs through additional capacity building, Nuru Kenya launched the NRTC to close educational gaps in the region, offering accredited courses to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve their farming practices and acquire technical skills that support them professionally, academically, and personally; including information and communications technology (ICT) courses. This initiative will help learners gain meaningful employment or improve their cooperative agribusinesses in a sustainable manner.
“I’m excited to graduate with my ICT diploma from NRTC, as it will open doors for me to explore various opportunities in the tech world and pursue my career goals.” – Elizabeth Mokami, NRTC Student
Since 2008, Nuru Kenya has been working in Isebania, equipping smallholder farmers to increase their incomes through farmer-owned cooperative agribusinesses. As these agribusinesses increase their professionalism and become profitable, thriving businesses, the need for interventions delivered through Nuru Kenya decreases, and farmer-owned cooperatives support the needs of their members and their communities. These agribusinesses are the foundation of economic growth throughout the region, healthy food systems, and sustainable livelihoods for their member farmers. NRTC is the only educational institution in the region that partners with local cooperative agribusinesses to ensure that educational training is directly tied to local job placement and supportive of thriving local businesses.
NRTC training
What Classes Can Students Take at NRTC?
Students are not required to be affiliated with or be a member of a Nuru Kenya-supported cooperative. The NRTC is eager to support a wide range of students with various levels of education within the region: cooperative members, recent college graduates, as well as high school or primary school graduates seeking to further their education are all eligible to apply. By breaking down barriers for local youth to receive an education, NRTC seeks to meaningfully engage this underserved group, ensuring they have the necessary skills to earn a living, participate competently in the local workforce, and have the opportunity to thrive within their communities.
Attending students are instructed by trained Nuru Kenya staff members and guest lecturers with expertise in ICT and agriculture. Students can pursue various certificate or diploma courses, including:
- Practical ICT skills
- General agriculture
- Cooperative Legislation
- Leadership and Governance
- Financial Management
- Business Planning
The full list of courses can be viewed on NRTC’s website page.
NRTC Student Highlight: Chacha Abisai Sabora
Chacha pictured in front of NRTC classrooms
When Chacha Abisai Sabora first considered furthering his education, he was uncertain, “I did not imagine that I could pursue higher education and have hopes to secure a white-collar job in the future.” However, when NRTC opened its doors, Chacha determined the opportunity was worth pursuing. “I’m taking a course in general agriculture because I have a passion for it,” Chacha adds, noting the supportive learning environment at NRTC. “The environment is calming, conducive, quiet, and secure—perfect for learning,” he explains.
When Chacha enrolled at NRTC, one of his main concerns was the expense, “I hesitated because I did not have enough [to pay tuition],” Chacha is one of the students who will now benefit from the work study program that will be launched this semester. This initiative allows students to earn money that both helps cover their school fees and provides them with an opportunity to earn additional income while receiving an education. “I am happy with the work study student program because it will enable me to earn money for my fee and extra for my pocket money,” Chacha says.
Chacha working on an assignment at a desk at NRTC
For Chacha, NRTC has been more than just a place of learning—it has been a stepping stone toward achieving his dreams and build a better future for himself. With affordable food available on campus and the support of qualified teachers, Chacha is pleased with his experience at NRTC, “The teachers are qualified, and we are also confident because the school is fully registered with the mandatory bodies such as TVETA.”
NRTC: Now Enrolling
NRTC is dedicated to being a center for educational excellence that supports local economic growth while ensuring that education is accessible to those who otherwise would not be able to access it. To reach more students, NRTC is pleased to begin offering scholarships, starting in March 2025. Applications for NRTC are currently being accepted on a rolling basis. Prospective students can apply here for the NRTC. For additional inquiries, please email: nrtc@nuru.co.ke.