The State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has officially launched a nationwide Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, aimed at certifying the skills of thousands of Kenyans who have gained expertise through informal and non-formal means.
Speaking at the launch held at Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Joseph Njau, Acting Secretary of TVET, said the initiative serves a twofold purpose: training practitioners and establishing regional committees to oversee the implementation of the RPL programme.
“We are inaugurating this workshop to train Recognition of Prior Learning practitioners,” Njau explained. “At the same time, we are launching a regional committee that will guide the RPL implementation. This programme addresses a critical gap where highly skilled individuals, especially those in the ‘Juakali’ sector, lack certification and therefore miss out on formal employment opportunities.”
He noted that many talented artisans in sectors such as construction, mechanics, and hospitality have long been disadvantaged because they have no formal papers to validate their skills.
“Through RPL, we will assess the skills acquired outside formal education. If we find them highly quality, we will award official certificates that can be used for employment and contracting opportunities,” he said.
He added that the immediate target is to train about 100 RPL practitioners in the Coast region, with similar workshops simultaneously launched in Kisumu and Nyeri. The national goal is to train 7,000 practitioners who will act as assessors nationwide.
“Initially, we are focusing on STEM fields — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — where much technological development is happening,” Njau said.
The Regional Director of TVET, Mwanzi Peter, highlighted that the Programme’s reach will be wide and inclusive.
“Our TVET institutions are spread throughout the country, including in the villages where Juakali artisans operate,” Mr Mwanzi said.
“We are not only targeting artisans, but also skilled workers in industries such as hospitality, especially in regions like Mombasa,” he added.
Mwanzi emphasised that the RPL initiative would boost the informal economy, opening pathways to better jobs, government contracts, and even opportunities in the blue economy.
Kenya Coast National Polytechnic Chief Principal, Geoffrey Andama, further underscored the importance of the programme.
“We know there are people who repair our fridges, lay tiles, or build houses but have no certificates to show their competencies,” Andama said. “This initiative is not about training or examining them again, it’s about recognising, assessing, and certifying the skills they already possess.”
He explained that all TVET institutions, vocational colleges, and training centres would serve as assessment hubs, while national polytechnics like Kenya Coast will handle certification.
“Our goal is to give these skilled individuals the dignity and confidence they deserve when they appear before employers,” Mr Andama concluded.
By Shamim Musa
