The Mombasa County government is embracing the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework to drive economic growth.
The devolved government has partnered with the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic to empower its staff with formal certification.
Recognition of Prior Learning is a structured assessment process that identifies and certifies skills, knowledge, and competencies acquired by an individual through work experience, life activities, or informal training.
Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has described RPL as a ‘transformative tool’ for improving employability and driving socio-economic growth.
He said the first cohort of the RPL program of 24 staff drawn from the Departments of Environment and Solid Waste Management and Transport and Infrastructure have graduated in motor vehicle mechanics, arc welding, electrical installation and motor vehicle electrical.
Nassir said the beneficiaries of the RPL project have joined the county public service in a supportive role but over the years acquired technical skills and experience that deserve to be recognized, certified and developed.
The RPL initiative is expected to improve workforce readiness, promote inclusivity, and support the growing youth population.
“We want to nurture a public service where experience counts, skills are recognized and every member of staff has an opportunity to grow,” he said.
The county boss noted that RPL is a ‘game-changer’ for people with competencies acquired through hands-on experience but who lack formal certification.
Governor Nassir said skills training remains the cornerstone of his administration’s vision for sustainable development.
He emphasized the importance of recognising skills acquired outside formal education systems through RPL in a knowledge-based economy.
“People are our greatest asset, and investing in their skills, recognising their experiences and creating pathways for professional growth is central to building a stronger county public service,” he said.
Nassir said the county government will be aligning skills development with labour market demands in a bid to address youth unemployment.
“RPL aligned with the evolving needs of the labour market plays a critical role in bridging the gap between informal skills and formal qualifications,” he said.
He said RPL is a key intervention aimed at officially certifying skills and knowledge acquired through informal or life experiences rather than through formal education systems.
Nassir said the era of pushing highly skilled individuals out of the system simply because they lack formal certificates will soon be a thing of the past.
Governor Nassir urged the youth in the coastal city to embrace skills acquisition and continuous learning, describing them as tools for self-reliance and sustainable development.
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) is tasked with coordinating and harmonising the education, training, assessment, and quality assurance of all qualifications awarded, including those recognised through RPL.
KNQA supports the recognition of non-formal and informal learning, making it fundamental to the RPL process.
KNQA notes RPL fast-tracks career development, bridges skill gaps, and boosts team confidence without requiring staff to repeat formal classroom training.
By Hussein Abdullahi
