Eldoret: The National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), particularly Chiefs and their Assistants from Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu Counties, have been trained as part of the TVET marketing team. This initiative is part of the ongoing government effort through the State Department for TVET to engage NGAOs as grassroots mobilizers to drive the 100 percent transition and enrollment of youth into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening technical education and empowering young people through skills-based training during her address at the NGAOs TVET sensitization forum held at The Eldoret National Polytechnic.
Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs, as part of the Grassroots Mobilization team, are tasked with using community barazas and collaborating with village elders to identify idle KCSE and KCPE leavers and encourage them to enroll in nearby vocational training centers. Dr. Muoria highlighted the importance of TVET institutions in equipping learners with practical skills that meet the demands of the modern job market. She emphasized that TVET programmes offer hands-on competencies within a short period, enabling learners to secure employment or start their own businesses.
Dr. Muoria urged Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs to engage with young people in their communities, identifying them for training opportunities. She explained the flexible nature of TVET programmes, which allow students to gain certificates within three to six months and return for further training as needed.
She encouraged students not to lose hope despite their secondary school examination results, noting that TVET institutions offer a valuable alternative pathway to success through practical skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Muoria also appealed to parents and guardians to consider technical and vocational training for their children, highlighting its role in addressing unemployment and bridging the skills gap in various economic sectors.
The government continues to invest in the TVET sector, with the state covering the majority of training costs, while parents contribute approximately Sh 67,100 annually, making technical education more accessible for Kenyan families. The event showcased the progress within the TVET sector, with institutions like The Eldoret National Polytechnic producing skilled graduates in fields such as engineering, information technology, business, and hospitality.
Dr. Muoria commended the institution’s efforts in nurturing competent and innovative graduates, contributing to economic growth and development locally and nationally. She encouraged students to seize the opportunities offered by TVET programmes as a pathway to self-reliance and career success.
