Nairobi: The Government has called for stronger collaboration between technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and industry to equip young people with practical skills for employment, enterprise and global competitiveness. The call was made by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba in a speech read on his behalf by Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET, Dr Esther Moria, during the opening of the three-day International TVET Conference 2026 at M¶venpick Hotel, Nairobi.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ogamba emphasized the importance of closer industry-TVET partnerships in ensuring training translates into meaningful economic opportunities for young people. He highlighted the experiences of Disrael Ngeresa and Medrin Wanja Wangui, who have successfully transitioned from TVET training into employment due to such collaborations. Ogamba stressed that aligning training with industry needs is crucial for transforming skills into opportunities.
Ogamba noted that since 2023, Kenya has transitioned TVET to Competency-Based Education and Training, expanded modularization, and deepened industry participation. The public TVET system under the Ministry of Education now comprises 33 national polytechnics and 217 technical and vocational colleges. Furthermore, 11,600 trainers have been upskilled in competency-based training, while 300 curricula have been developed or reviewed to include green competencies.
He also reported that over 2,500 companies have engaged with TVET institutions, benefiting more than 15,000 young people through improved training. Dual training, which involves a significant portion of training conducted in industry settings, is bridging the gap between classroom learning and the workplace. The Kenya National Dual Training Policy, approved in 2025, outlines roles and quality assurance for institutional and employer participation.
Finland’s Ambassador to Kenya, Riina-Riikka Heikka, expressed Finland’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s TVET reforms. She emphasized the importance of making training practical and responsive to labour-market needs through dual training, which fosters collaboration between TVET institutions and industry. Heikka also highlighted the need for greater participation of women in technical fields and improved access for persons with disabilities.
Germany’s Deputy Head of Mission, Konrad Lax, acknowledged Kenya’s efforts to align training with workplace needs. He highlighted the benefits of dual training in providing hands-on experience and called for the private sector to actively participate in the training process. Lax mentioned Germany’s collaboration with the Republic of Korea to promote employment for women and support the green industry, aiming to equip young Kenyans with skills for the green economy.
Ogamba concluded by emphasizing Kenya’s commitment to strengthening skills in digital and artificial intelligence, green technologies, and international benchmarking. He highlighted structured pathways for labour mobility between Kenya and Germany, underscoring the importance of safe and ethical migration for skills development and professional networking.
The International TVET Conference 2026 was declared open by Ogamba, focusing on equipping young people with the competencies necessary for productive work, enterprise, and lifelong progression.
