Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has described Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as the engine of growth for many sectors in the country.
She said TVET training is a crucial enabler of the economy and urged youths to take advantage of the opportunity to train at the institutions then bring their expertise and skills into all the economic sectors.
She applauded the Government for its effort in revamping Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions where the youths may get the hands-on training, preparing them for self-employment and meet the demands of job market.
Miano who was speaking during 2nd Nyandarua National Polytechnic graduation ceremony on Friday particularly noted that the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife benefits from the trainees from TVET institutions especially in the field of hospitality and tourism among others.
Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET Dr. Esther Muoria, also speaking at the graduation ceremony said the future of Kenya rests in the hands of a skilled, innovative and resilient youth and TVET Institutions were at the heart of producing the human capital that would drive the country’s transformation.
Muoria further reminded the graduands that certificates alone were not enough in today’s world noting what mattered more was competence, creativity and adaptability.
“I urge you not to be only recipients of knowledge but also solution providers as well as job creators through the knowledge and skills you have gained,” the PS advised them.
The PS noted that the State Department for TVET is ensuring that what one learns in class and workshops translates to real world opportunities and that the Department is strengthening linkages with industry through apprenticeships and dual training models.
She also noted that linkages are being strengthened through collaboration with private sector in curriculum co-designs and expanding opportunities for industrial attachment.
Dr. Muoria further noted that the department is also modernising workshops and laboratories to keep pace with emerging technologies as well as capacity building for instructors to ensure the trainers remained current with industry practices.
“The Department is also allowing skilled workers in the informal sector to have their competencies formally certified through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Programme,” added Dr. Muoria.
By Kimani Tirus and Evelyn King’ori
