Politics and policy

Helb to manage training fund for civil servants

Benjamin Cheboi (pictured), the Helb chief executive, said the agency is looking for innovative ways of dealing with its financing challenges and had found the private sector a viable hunting ground.

Benjamin Cheboi (pictured), the Helb chief executive, said the agency is looking for innovative ways of dealing with its financing challenges and had found the private sector a viable hunting ground. FILE 

Thousands of civil servants now have an opportunity to advance their careers, following the establishment of a revolving training fund.

The scheme is being managed by the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb), the government agency that manages student loans.

The fund will be used to finance graduate training and applicants can access between Sh30,000 and Sh500,000 at four per cent interest rate. Recipients will have a maximum of 72 months to repay.

Initially restricted to mainstream ministry employees and the police, Helb said it would be expanded “later.”  
“A training revolving fund has been set up to enable public servants develop themselves and repay as they study,” said Helb in statement.

The government is moving to plug the holes left by an exodus of civil servants to the private sector and international organisations for greener pastures.

Loss of skilled manpower is emerging as a major challenge at a time when the government is in need of top talent to drive its reform agenda anchored on Vision 2030 and the new Constitution.

Human capital has become the most sought after resource and an arsenal for growth in companies and better service delivery in the public service.

Experts say in high demand are the technologically literate, possessing global understanding and who can develop award-winning guidelines and execute such strategies.

The initiative will see the government join the ranks of private sector players most of whom have incentives for staff going back to school.

Such packages range from education loans at low interest rates to company-sponsored training opportunities.

Government employees have had to seek loans from co-operative societies and banks to finance their training. HR practitioners said the Government was losing key staff to the private sector, as they seek training opportunities and career development.

Right talent

They argue having the right talent in key roles has become the lifeline of many businesses in the world that is increasingly becoming more accessible.

This pressure to attract and retain talent in a competitive world, though lucrative for workers with special skills, is forcing the Government to widen the scope of performance-related management and training, leaving in their hands a heavy labour cost burden.

The public service is grappling with reforms, which have produced results in certain areas.