College of the North Atlantic (CNA) recently welcomed a delegation of 12 guests from Kenya as part of the Young Africa Works-Kenya: Youth Employability Through TVET project.
This initiative, a collaboration between Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), the Mastercard Foundation, the Kenyan Ministry of Education, and the private sector, aims to enhance the quality and relevance of Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The project focuses on strengthening the TVET system for key economic growth sectors identified under Kenya’s Big Four agenda — manufacturing, universal healthcare, food security, and affordable housing. By fostering partnerships between Kenyan and Canadian institutions, the project is helping to develop TVET Centres of Excellence. These centres will work to empower youth, especially women, with market-relevant skills, with the goal of enabling them to achieve dignified and fulfilling employment.
The Kenyan delegation embarked on a comprehensive tour of CNA campuses and communities across the island portion of the province, including St. John’s, Conception Bay South, Stephenville, Deer Lake, and St. Anthony.
Their visit was a blend of cultural immersion and professional development, featuring tours of historic communities, a fun-filled visit to the Iceberg Festival in St. Anthony, and baking tasty treats in Stephenville. They engaged in tourist activities, technical training, and visits to local industries. To top it all off, they even got Screeched in.
Newton Kavoi from Northern National Polytechnic said, “Everywhere we go, the people have been nice and kind. We really appreciate the hospitality.”
Other members of the Kenyan delegation echoed the same sentiments.
“It is a nice place with welcoming people, very friendly,” said Bedan Mugo. “We had the opportunity to learn a lot with modern equipment. If a student were to come here, they would have lots of support.”
Phanuel Onzere added, “Our time here has helped us learn that it is important to bring what is happening in the real world into the classroom. We gained a lot of information to pass on. The people we have met here are very kind, and we are enjoying the experience.”
This visit underscores CNA’s dedication to fostering global partnerships and creating an inclusive environment that values learning and cultural exchange. And it was simply a lot of fun.
“The highlight of the visit was observing how impressed and amazed the Kenyan instructors were with our workshops and practical learning components,” explained Ying Zhang, International Business Development Coordinator at CNA. “During the campus tour, their interest in our advanced equipment for student training and their focused attention to our instructors' presentations were evident. We learned about their humbleness and eagerness to learn about Canadian culture and our community, and their passion for acquiring new knowledge and technology. The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive; they described the experience as life-changing and eye-opening.”
Marty Madore, Associate Dean of the School of Natural Resources and Industrial Trades at CNA, said it was truly heartwarming to be able to welcome CNA’s Kenyan partners to Newfoundland and Labrador. He was especially touched to see the outpouring of support from CNA personnel and community members to welcome and care for their guests.
“From our Kenyan guests, we learned that, regardless of where we come from, we all desire the best for our families and their future success,” he added. “It was also amusing to see how quickly they adapted to our cooler climate, local foods, and unique communication jargon. The participants expressed that the visit was life-changing; they were honoured to learn alongside CNA and industry experts, build new relationships, and experience the geography and climate of Newfoundland. They were deeply touched by the sincere welcome they received from everyone at CNA and the people of the province.”
For more information about CNA’s international presence and partners, visit
College of the North Atlantic - Business & Industry - CNA Global.
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Media Contact:
Ryan Crocker
Manager of Communications
College of the North Atlantic
P: (709) 699-8981
E:
ryan.crocker@cna.nl.ca