Nyeri: Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff, Felix Koskei has hailed the ongoing reforms in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, aimed at positioning the country as a competitive supplier of skilled labour in the global economy. Speaking during the third Nyeri National Polytechnic International Research and Innovation Conference and Skills expo, Koskei, in a speech read on his behalf by the Education CS, Julius Ogamba, emphasized the government’s strategic focus on skills development to ensure national growth and global competitiveness.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Head of Public Service noted that global labour projections forecast a shortage of more than 85 million skilled workers by 2030, highlighting the need for TVETs to realign themselves. The government has introduced several reforms in the TVET sector, including the dual training model, recognition of prior learning, digitization of skills mapping, and investment in modern equipment and infrastructure.
Koskei stressed that these reforms are structural shifts aimed at positioning Kenya as a significant player in the global skills economy. He noted that technical and vocational education, once viewed as an alternative path, is now central to the national development agenda. The conference, with the theme “Applied Research and Innovation as a Catalyst for Skills, Employment, and Sustainable Development,” brought together stakeholders to rethink the role of technical and vocational skills in employment creation.
Nyeri Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga praised the conference as transformative for skill development. His administration has implemented targeted programs to provide youth with relevant education and practical training for dignified livelihoods. Efforts include distributing modern tools in the county’s 28 youth polytechnics and constructing workshops to enhance the learning environment.
Kahiga also committed to supporting quality education and training at all levels, including dedicating 30 percent of the Nyeri County Elimu Fund bursary to tertiary institutions. He encouraged youth to pursue technical and vocational careers, highlighting their potential for reliable employment. Despite the capability to accommodate more learners, the county faces enrollment challenges due to negative perceptions of technical and vocational education. He urged collaboration to showcase the economic promise of technical careers over the limited white-collar job market.
