Eldoret Beauty College to Hold Second Graduation as Director Urges Youth to Embrace TVET for Jobs and Entrepreneurship

 

 

When John Mwangi started out as a freelance beautician in the corridors of Eldoret town, armed with little more than determination and faith, few could have predicted that he would one day lead one of the region’s most promising beauty and vocational training institutions.

Today, Mwangi stands as the Director of Eldoret Beauty College and founder of Mwangiz Beauty Parlour, which operates in both Eldoret and Kitale — a testament to what vision, resilience, and practical skills can achieve.

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, Eldoret Beauty College will host its second graduation ceremony, a proud moment that marks yet another milestone in Mwangi’s inspiring journey and in the lives of dozens of young graduates who have completed training in hairdressing, beauty therapy, skincare, nail technology, and makeup artistry.

A Call to Youth: “TVET Is the Pathway to Empowerment”

Speaking ahead of the graduation, Mwangi passionately called on young people across the country to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a direct route to employment, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship.

“TVET institutions provide hands-on skills that are highly valued in the job market,” Mwangi said. “When you join a TVET institution, you are not just preparing for a job, but also equipping yourself to create jobs and build wealth.”

He underscored that vocational training offers practical solutions to the country’s high youth unemployment rate, urging young people to change their perception of TVET programs.

“Some people believe that going to TVET institutions means you’re a failure, but this is far from the truth. We need to change how we view these institutions because, with the right skills, you can use both your hands and your brain to create opportunities for yourself and others,” he added.

 

Changing the Narrative Around TVET

Mwangi lamented the outdated stigma that often discourages students from enrolling in technical colleges, noting that some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs began their journeys by learning a trade.

“The wealthiest entrepreneurs often didn’t work in government offices or scientific laboratories. They worked with their hands — and that is where the true entrepreneurial spirit lies,” Mwangi said. “TVET institutions are the foundation of these success stories. They give young people the skills to innovate, to build, and to create.”

According to Mwangi, the beauty and cosmetology sector in Kenya has become one of the most dynamic and rapidly expanding industries, offering employment and business opportunities to thousands of young professionals. He noted that many graduates from Eldoret Beauty College have already opened their own salons and beauty shops across the North Rift region.

Partnerships for Greater Impact

Mwangi also urged the government to enhance collaboration between private and public TVET institutions, saying stronger partnerships would ensure quality training and alignment with market needs.

“Private TVET institutions have a wealth of experience and should be incorporated more actively into national training programs,” he said. “If we work together — public and private — we can ensure that young people leave college ready to fill the skills gap in the job market.”

He added that such collaboration would also help Kenya achieve its industrialization goals under Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), both of which prioritize job creation through skills development.

Empowering a New Generation

As the college prepares to send off its latest cohort of graduates, Mwangi’s message to the class of 2025 is one of patience, persistence, and purpose.

“Once you have completed your training, be patient,” he advised. “Success requires time and consistency. Use your skills to identify problems in society and turn them into opportunities. Every challenge is a chance to innovate.”

Mwangi’s approach to mentorship at the college emphasizes both technical mastery and personal growth. Trainees are encouraged not only to perfect their craft but also to build confidence, communication skills, and business acumen — all essential traits for entrepreneurship.

From the Corridors to the Classroom

Mwangi’s story began humbly. As a young beautician in Eldoret, he offered freelance services in rented spaces and open corridors, often carrying his beauty tools from one client to another. His passion for quality service and customer satisfaction helped him build a loyal clientele base, eventually enabling him to open Mwangiz Beauty Parlour.

Years later, realizing the need for professional training in the industry, he founded Eldoret Beauty College to equip others with the same skills that had transformed his life. The college has since trained hundreds of young people — mostly women — empowering them to achieve financial independence and contribute to their communities.

“I started small, but I never stopped dreaming,” Mwangi recalled. “What drives me is the desire to see others succeed. When I see our graduates starting their own businesses or getting employed, I know we are making a difference.”

 

A Vision Rooted in Hope and Hard Work

Saturday’s graduation ceremony is expected to attract leaders from Uasin Gishu County, education officials, and representatives from the TVET sector. The event will celebrate not only the achievements of the students but also Mwangi’s vision of using vocational training as a tool for empowerment.

As the students don their graduation gowns, their journey will symbolize more than academic achievement — it will represent self-belief, transformation, and the power of skills-based education.

For Mwangi, the message is clear: Kenya’s future lies in the hands of skilled, innovative, and passionate young people who are ready to create their own opportunities.

“With hard work, faith, and vision, every dream is possible,” he said with conviction. “We are proof that success doesn’t come from where you start, but from how determined you are to keep going.”