Mount Kenya University (MKU), has partnered up with a German institution in order to offer apprenticeships and training to students in healthcare. This partnership is in an effort to tap into the expanding German market.
The partnership with Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences will be implemented through an MKU affiliate Equip Africa Institute. It aims to train students to become healthcare assistants here in Germany.
To earn a Certificate as a Healthcare Assistant, the students will complete two semesters of 14-week courses. After completing these courses, they will be released to German hospitals to begin apprenticeships and job placements.
Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi (MKU Vice Chancellor) stated that the programme is scheduled to begin in January 2023, and that the apprenticeship will begin in September of that year.
He said the programme will be offered at MKU’s main campus in Thika town as well as the Mombasa Campus.
“Students will be provided with career opportunities in German hospitals. We have started to offer German language classes in order to prepare students for the German market. The students will get a salary and excellent job opportunities after completing the training,” said the VC.
German trainees will not have to pay tuition fees. They will be offered a job contract that includes a monthly salary for basic needs and accommodation.
The VC was speaking after holding talks with his counterparts from Hochschule Koblenz University at MKU’s main campus in Thika this week.
They included Prof. Christian Lebrenz (Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business) and Prof. Stephan Bundschuh (Managing Director of the Institute of Social Sciences Research and Continuing Education).
According to a research consortium the partnership will help to fill a gap in Germany’s healthcare workforce. Many professionals are retiring and there is not enough talent to replace them.
“Due to its aging population, Germany is facing a significant shortfall of healthcare in the coming years. Various studies estimate a deficit of between 400,000 and 600,000 vacancies by 2030,” the research consortium noted.
By Muoki Char
Source: kenyanews
