Principal Secretary of the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, recently announced that seventy (70) TVET institutions will benefit from equipment provided by China.
The equipment, valued at Ksh. 13 billion, is intended to enhance the capabilities of the country’s TVET institutions and will be supplied under a Government-to-Government arrangement.
During a press briefing at her office in Jogoo House, Dr. Muoria described the support from Beijing as timely, noting that it coincides with the TVET sector’s adoption of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
She emphasized that for the TVET sector to leverage the opportunities presented by 4IR fully, there is a critical need for state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that trainees receive instruction aligned with market demands. The availability of relevant training equipment is especially important given the modernization of the TVET curriculum to Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET).
Dr. Muoria further clarified that the Ksh. 13 billion represents a loan in the form of equipment.
She explained that the equipment will include high-technology tools, and the integration of advanced technologies, such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), will enable TVET trainees to acquire cutting-edge skills that are in high demand in the global labor market, allowing them to compete effectively for jobs worldwide.
The equipment will be supplied to various departments, including mechanical technology, electrical and electronic technology, agricultural machinery technology, mechatronics technology, agricultural value addition technology, civil and building technology, welding and fabrication technology, hospitality management technology, automotive technology, and refrigeration and air conditioning technology across the different TVET institutions in Kenya.
Dr. Muoria praised the Government for its ongoing support of the TVET sector, noting that there are currently 240 TVET institutions in Kenya, with at least one located in each constituency.
She encouraged the youth to enroll in TVET institutions, confirming that the sector has successfully broken down various training programs into skill sets that enable individuals to acquire skills quickly, allowing them to start earning promptly.
Dr. Muoria highlighted that through the Kenya Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (KCATS), youth will be able to transition seamlessly in their pursuit of skills within TVET institutions.
