By E, KNA
The County Government of Nakuru has unveiled a marketing campaign with a target of increasing enrolment of youth in Technical Education Vocational Training (TVETS) aimed at bridging the skills gap in local and global job market demands.
The campaign dubbed ‘Shika skills jenga future’ (“Acquire skills, build the future.”) will highlight success stories and demonstrate how TVET graduates contribute to the economy and the critical role that vocational education can play in driving economic progress and reducing unemployment.
The devolved unit is liaising with national government administration officers, community leaders, social workers and religious institutions in reaching out to the youths at the grassroots in all the 11 Sub-Counties to enroll in TVET courses as a way of empowering them for improved livelihoods.
County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Education, ICT, e-Government, and Public Communication, Ms Zipporah Wambui said that efforts by both levels of government to establish more TVETs, improve their infrastructure and equipment and streamline the curriculum were gradually paying off as evidenced by enhanced enrolment rates.
While noting that the country was banking on the TVET sector to spur the industrialization dream as well as achieving Vision 2030 goals, Ms Wamboi indicated that the County government was working closely with the national government and other stakeholders in the TVET ecosystem to make TVET relevant, competitive and accessible to all Kenyan youth.
She explained that over the years, there has been significant reforms by both the National and the county governments to ensure quality, access and equity in the TVET sector, despite existence of pockets of strong bias towards university education, which is perceived as the gold standard for success.
The CEC spoke at the Nakuru Vocational Education and Training Center in Bondeni after flagging off a caravan to promote uptake of TVET education and enhance the visibility of courses offered at the institutions.
Ms Wamboi stated that the aim of the campaign was to sensitize the community on how TVET education has evolved into a respectable and viable option that equips students with skills to succeed in diverse fields such as manufacturing, construction, information technology and smart agriculture among others. The drive, she added will also inform the public about the programs offered in county TVET institutions.
The CEC stated that the county government was investing in vocational training, shifting societal perceptions and supporting students in exploring diverse education pathways as one way of creating a skilled and versatile workforce capable of driving Kenya’s development forward.
“This campaign reflects Governor Susan Kihika’s strong support and commitment to Vocational Education and Training, with the goal of empowering more youth with essential technical skills that can lead to employment opportunities”, she added.
The county has 24 youth polytechnics spread across the 11 sub counties. According to the Technical Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), there are two accredited public TVET institutions in the county namely the Dairy Training Institute in Naivasha and the Rift Valley National Polytechnic in Njoro, and a total of 18 accredited private TVET institutions.
Some of the courses offered at TVETs operated by the County Government include ICT, Fashion and Design, Plumbing, Building and Construction, Food and Beverage Service and Production, Electrical Installation Technology, Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Cosmetology, Welding and Motor Vehicle Electrics.
The CEC expressed optimism that a growing number of students including those who qualified for university education were opting for TVETs leading to a remarkable rise in TVET enrolments.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that TVET enrolment increased from 451,205 to 562,499 between 2019 and 2022. This shift reflects a growing awareness of the value of technical skills in an economy where practical skills now outweigh technical knowledge.
Ms Wambui noted that it was a trend that underscores the importance of vocational education in equipping students with skills directly aligned with industry demands.
She observed that the National Government had rolled out new technical and vocational courses as it began to implement the Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) policy framework aimed at delivering industry responsive skills.
“CBET concept entails the involvement of industry in all aspects of training. This will include development of occupational standards, training programmes, facilitation of training as well as assessment. We are keen on entrenching CBET in our systems,” said the CEC.
She stated that in the world over, the labour market was transiting from theoretical expertise to practical-based skills adding that a growing number of Kenyans with good academic qualifications were unemployed because of a mismatch of skills and career choices.
Ms Wambui said increased enrolment in TVETS and polytechnics has been facilitated by initiatives that both levels of Government have been putting in place, including heavy investment in TVET infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and equity.
The CEC indicated that both the national and county Government have upgraded and equipped TVET institutions and polytechnics with state-of-the-art equipment and machinery to ensure Kenyans trained in TVET skills are globally competitive.
She emphasized the growing need for students to pursue technical education in light of the rising number of high school graduates noting that the country was facing a shortage of skilled technicians, urging students to explore technical fields that are critical to shaping Kenya’s healthcare and economic future.
Ms Wambui pointed out that the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) was designed to accelerate economic growth by investing in critical pillars that create employment for millions of skilled youths.
“As we implement policies, programmes and projects which create jobs for the youth, we must simultaneously equip millions of young Kenyans with the education, training and skills necessary to enhance their productivity in a dynamic, globalized and competitive labour market,” Ms Wambui said.
She added that Governor Kihika’s administration was committed to working out public-private partnerships to boost investment in TVET institutions.
Ms Wambui said the County was working out a partnership with several private companies aimed at equipping students in Youth Polytechnics and TVETs with hands-on skills in an industry setting during their time of study.
She said that the venture was geared towards bridging the skills gap among TVET graduates by ensuring that students spend at least 50 percent of their training working with relevant industries.
“We are exploring a model where students are subjected to a combination of theory and practical training, in a real-life work environment through an interchange of training at a TVET institute and in a company,” she stated.
She announced that the County Government had set aside funds towards youth empowerment initiatives including upgrading facilities at the County’s Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) with the aim of meeting required standards and attracting more youth enrolments.
Chief Officer for ICT, e-Government and Public Communication, Mr Joseph Kibusia pledged that the County administration was focusing on strengthening the ties between vocational training and industry needs as a way of addressing the critical issue of youth employability in Kenya.
Mr Kibusia indicated that the County Government was championing a dual Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) program- an educational approach that combines theoretical classroom instruction with practical workplace training.
The Chief Officer pointed out that close links between enterprises and training centres have been at the core of Western World’s economic success since the 19th century.
“I believe that building up such a TVET ecosystem in Kenya can provide concrete job opportunities for young Kenyans as well,” he observed.
Kibusia said the devolved unit’s administration was committed to its vision of creating sustainable opportunities for the youth, ensuring they are empowered to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities. .
