Mombasa:The youth have been urged to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a means to achieve self-reliance and stimulate socio-economic growth. This call to action was made by Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary of the State Department for TVET, alongside Fikirini Jacobs, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the government has launched a national mobilization campaign aimed at enrolling millions of young people in TVET institutions. During a forum in Mombasa, the Principal Secretaries highlighted the importance of TVET programs in providing practical skills that ensure youth are relevant and employable in the workforce. The forum, part of a National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) TVET Marketing and Sensitization Engagement, took place at The Kenya Coast National Polytechnic and involved administrative officers from various coastal counties.
The officers were encouraged to identify young individuals with practical skills who lack formal certification and assist them with registration for assessment under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework. Dr. Muoria emphasized the importance of grassroots mobilization in connecting youth with training, assessment, and certification opportunities.
TVET institutions offer flexibility through modular Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), allowing young people to gain specific occupational competencies swiftly. The government is also in discussions with industry players like the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery to develop training programs aligned with industry needs, ensuring that Kenyan youth can compete for emerging opportunities.
The national government is committed to expanding access to industry-relevant training, viewing TVET as integral to economic development, industrial growth, and youth employment. There are currently 260 accredited TVET institutions across the country, providing essential skills for the modern workforce.
Both Principal Secretaries encouraged young people to view technical and vocational jobs as viable career paths, particularly given the shortage of white-collar jobs. TVET institutions offer courses across various levels, including artisan, craft, and diploma, regulated by the TVET Authority.
