Nairobi: The government is enhancing international collaborations and industry connections to position Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions as centers of practical skills, innovation, production, and global employment. Principal Secretary for the State Department for TVET, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, emphasized the importance of international partnerships in aligning training with industry requirements, international standards, and emerging labor-market opportunities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Muoria underscored the need for preparing young Kenyans for both local and international job markets during a dinner at Kabete National Polytechnic. The event marked the completion of final assessments for the first cohort under the Signet Institute of Australia program. The assessment involved 133 trainees and 33 trainers from various institutions, including Kabete National Polytechnic, Nairobi National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic, Eldoret National Polytechnic, and Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind.
The trainees are working towards a Diploma in Community Service and Individual Support, with specializations in aging and disability support. The broader program encompasses fields such as engineering, automotive, construction, health, community services, and leadership. The assessments, moderated by a master trainer from the Signet Institute of Australia, provided an international benchmark for the trainees’ competencies.
Dr. Muoria highlighted that the assessment showcased the ability of Kenyan TVET institutions to deliver competency-based training aligned with international standards. She noted the trainees’ impressive performance, with a 90% rating in skills development, reflecting the high quality of training in Kenya. This external validation is expected to boost confidence among trainees and trainers, encouraging participation in international skills competitions and pursuit of global employment opportunities.
As Kenya aims to become a global skills hub, Dr. Muoria emphasized the importance of building a TVET system that is responsive to industry needs, internationally benchmarked, and equipped to prepare young people for global opportunities. International exposure, she noted, would allow Kenyan workers to gain experience, technology, and skills that could drive national development and industrialization.
The partnership with Signet Institute exemplifies how international agreements can lead to practical training, assessment, and exposure to global standards. Dr. Muoria noted the government’s efforts to strengthen collaboration between TVET institutions, industry, and universities to bridge training and production. Opportunities for local manufacturing of vehicle parts, including those for electric vehicles, and partnerships in automotive, agriculture, and apparel manufacturing were also highlighted.
Signet Institute Operations Manager Mohit praised the program for enabling Australian trainers to work alongside Kenyan trainers, witnessing the trainees’ competencies firsthand. The collaboration brought together Australian training standards, master trainers, Kenyan trainers, and the strength of Kenya’s TVET institutions.
The successful assessment demonstrated that international partnerships could create opportunities for skills development, benchmarking, and global employability. Kabete National Polytechnic Principal Dr. Patrick Muchemi recognized the assessment as a step forward in positioning Kenyan TVET graduates for the global skills market. He urged institutions to leverage their resources and partnerships to enhance production, innovation, and enterprise.
The first cohort is expected to graduate in November, with pathways to employment opportunities in Australia. The Signet partnership is part of the government’s broader TVET transformation agenda, aimed at strengthening competency-based training, industry linkages, international benchmarking, and practical learning.
