The government has called for a mobilization of youths in villages across the country to join technical institutions in order to gain employment skills.
Consequently, Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Julius Ogamba has urged all National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) and the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) principals to find ways of reaching out to youths at the grassroots level to enrol in TVET courses as a form of empowerment.
In his speech, delivered by the Technical, Vocational Education and Training PS Dr. Esther Muoria during the 19th graduation ceremony of Eldoret National Polytechnic, which saw more than 3,000 graduands enter the job market, Ogamba pointed out that the government is working hard to ensure that every constituency in Kenya has access to a fully equipped TVET institution. This initiative aims to enable all young people, including those from marginalized backgrounds, to access training and enhance their employability.
“To build on this aspiration, I have directed TVET institutions to conduct a nationwide marketing campaign with a target of enrolling 2,000,000 youths by June 2025,” he noted.
Noting that the increase in trainee enrolment necessitates a corresponding expansion of training facilities, the CS mentioned that the State Department for Technical Training, under its digitization agenda, will harness advanced training and learning technologies such as Virtual Reality.
This innovative approach uses simulations to deliver real-life workshop and laboratory experiences for various courses. The trainees will have the flexibility to access these sessions remotely, promoting inclusivity and equal learning opportunities.
The Education CS stated that the government has been keen on ensuring that the TVET sector is responsive to the needs of the modern labour market, both locally and internationally, through key reforms aimed at ensuring quality, relevance, access, and equity in the TVET sub-sector.
Additionally, the government is committed to ensuring that all TVET institutions, including Eldoret National Polytechnic, adhere to the highest standards of quality.
“Quality assurance is critical not just for the institutions, but for the future success of the trainees we graduate. It is imperative that the training provided meets the highest quality standards and aligns with the needs of both local and global job markets,” noted Ogamba.
To achieve the highest quality standards, the CS directed that Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) assessments must incorporate industry assessors to ensure that the training outcomes meet real-world demands.
Additionally, trainees should be actively involved in institutional projects, such as the upcoming Ultra-Modern Library being constructed by Eldoret National Polytechnic, to enhance their practical skills and provide hands-on experience that reflects workplace scenarios.
Ogamba affirmed that the government continues to prioritize TVET in its annual budgetary allocations, recognizing the immense potential of the sector in driving socio-economic transformation and creating an enabling environment for the TVET sub-sector to produce skilled graduates who are ready to actively contribute to the country’s development agenda.
He underscored the government’s resolve to ensure affordability through the current funding model, which guarantees that no youth is left behind.
In her remarks, the PS stated that they want young people to acquire skills, noting that the government is on course to secure job opportunities for the youth after graduation.
Noting that international recruiters seek trainers with exceptional finesse, she suggested that the competency of graduates must meet international standards, so that when they go abroad, they do not require retraining.
Eldoret National Polytechnic Principal Dr. Charles Koech lauded the government’s move to increase enrolment, noting that he will implement measures to accommodate more trainees, raising the number from the current over 18,000 students.
