The government has made significant progress in reforming the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector to align it with global trends and to meet the needs of a growing workforce.
Speaking at the inaugural graduation ceremony of Michuki National Polytechnic, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki emphasized the crucial role of the TVET sector in developing a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, innovative, and ready to meet the demands of both present and future industries.
“The future of our economy lies in the hands of a technically empowered workforce,” he stated, adding, “Through TVET institutions, we are not just training job seekers; we are nurturing creators, innovators, and problem-solvers who will lead the transformation of our nation.”
The Deputy President said as part of the reforms, the government has adopted a modular approach to Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), breaking it down into short, examinable competency units.
These units, he noted, lead to micro, partial, or full qualifications, which could be completed within a period of three to six months.
“The introduction of micro-credentials offers a powerful tool for flexible, demand-driven training that responds to the dynamic needs of the labor market,” Kindiki explained.
“To advance the TVET agenda, the government has also remained committed to strengthening the capacity of training institutions by equipping them with state-of-the-art tools and technology,” he said.
Kindiki further observed that as part of this ongoing effort, plans were underway to equip 70 additional TVET institutions through a strategic partnership with Avic International, a global leader in technical and vocational education support.
“We cannot talk about quality training without quality tools. Our goal is to ensure every TVET institution in Kenya is equipped to deliver world-class training that meets the needs of the job market,” the Deputy President remarked.
On his part, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Ogamba, reassured education stakeholders of the government’s commitment to standardizing the TVET ecosystem.
He said that the Ministry of Education was actively developing and implementing a comprehensive policy framework aimed at streamlining and harmonizing operations across the sector to ensure quality, equity, and relevance in technical training.
“A key milestone in these efforts is the recent launch of the National Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Framework, a transformative policy initiative designed to assess, validate, and certify skills gained through informal and non-formal learning pathways,” he noted.
This framework, Ogamba observed, opens new doors for individuals who may not have followed traditional academic routes but possess valuable hands-on experience and technical competencies.
“We recognize that learning does not only happen in classrooms,” the CS stated, adding that “With the Recognition of Prior Learning framework, we are ensuring that the skills of millions of Kenyans, whether acquired at the workplace, in the community, or through self-teaching, are formally acknowledged and certified.”
The Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr. Esther Muoria, applauded the government’s ongoing efforts to revitalize and modernize the TVET sector.
She commended the deliberate investments in infrastructure, curriculum reforms, and strategic partnerships aimed at making technical training more accessible, relevant, and impactful.
“TVET is no longer a fallback option; it is a cornerstone of national development. We must continue to equip our youth with the skills they need to innovate, to compete, and to thrive,” Muoria remarked.
On her part, Chief Principal of Michuki National Polytechnic Ms. Anne Mbogo lauded the government for equipping and modernizing the institution.
Ms. Mbogo said the government has acquired a 7-acre piece of land to build a satellite campus, which would see the population of the polytechnic grow to more than 15,000 students.
During the graduation, 2,257 learners graduated with diplomas and certificates, while another 300 graduated with short artisan courses.
By Bernard Munyao and Catherine Kamunyo
