Technical and vocational training institutions have been urged to intensify preparedness for the first cohort under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, which is expected to be fully implemented in 2029, as the government accelerates reforms aimed at aligning training with labour market demands.
The transition, which demands urgency and readiness across all training institutions, is expected to reshape Kenya’s skills development landscape by placing greater emphasis on practical competencies, industry exposure and hands-on learning.
Speaking during the 6th graduation ceremony at Nyeri National Polytechnic in Nyeri County, TVET Principal Secretary Esther Thaara Muoria said institutions are already well positioned to receive the upcoming cohort, citing significant investments in infrastructure and training capacity.
She noted that TVET institutions have fully embedded the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, with modern workshops, improved facilities and trained faculty ready to support the new system.
“Our institutions are ready for this transition. We have modern infrastructure, well-equipped workshops and trained trainers to deliver competency-based learning,” she said.
Muoria added that the government is also strengthening sustainability in TVET institutions through solarisation and water harvesting systems to reduce operational costs and improve self-reliance.
ALSO READ;
Headteachers urged to embrace CBE challenges at KEPSHA Lodwar conference
She further announced plans to deepen collaboration between training institutions and industry, saying automotive engineering centres will be registered as garages by the Kenya Motor Repairers Association to allow trainees to service government vehicles while gaining practical experience.
She stressed that TVET must shift fully towards skills-based training rather than academic orientation.
“TVET should not be academic but technical. It must be aligned to industry needs,” she said, adding that future graduates should be assessed and recognized based on practical competence.
Muoria also pointed to a shift in graduation culture, saying trainees should increasingly present themselves in attire that reflects their trades, such as overalls and toolkits for mechanics, as part of building professional identity in technical careers.
The remarks came during a ceremony where more than 2,900 students graduated from Engineering, Applied and Health Sciences, and Business and Social Sciences programmes at artisan, craft, diploma and higher diploma levels under the theme “Skills that Develop Nations: Training for Prosperity.”
By Special correspondent
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
