- PS Mworia said administrators, including chiefs and assistant chiefs, have a critical role in connecting education programmes with communities
- The partnership between TVET institutions, NGAO officers and other government agencies is expected to accelerate enrollment
- The government has enrolled about 1.2 million students in TVET institutions and is targeting two million learners by the end of the year
The government has intensified efforts to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) enrollment by enlisting National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to champion grassroots awareness campaigns aimed at attracting more young people into technical training.
Principal Secretary for TVET Dr. Esther Mworia said administrators, including chiefs and assistant chiefs, have a critical role in connecting education programmes with communities because of their close interaction with households.
Speaking at Nyandarua National Polytechnic, Dr. Mworia said increasing enrollment would not only address youth unemployment but also strengthen Kenya’s skilled workforce needed to drive economic growth.
“The whole-of-government approach is key in ensuring more young people access technical education. Through our partnership with the NGAO team, we expect more learners to enroll because they have direct engagement with communities,” she said.
She revealed that the government has enrolled about 1.2 million students in TVET institutions and is targeting two million learners by the end of the year.
The PS acknowledged that while the government intends to fully fund TVET students in the future, resource limitations mean the objective will be achieved gradually.
She also highlighted the Kazi Majuu programme, which enables graduates to gain international work experience before returning to Kenya with enhanced technical expertise.
Dr. Mworia further announced plans to certify artisans under the national qualifications framework to improve recognition of technical skills.
“A competitive economy requires a highly skilled workforce. Certification will assure investors that Kenya has qualified technicians while opening more employment opportunities for our artisans,” she said.
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KNQA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alice Kande said the authority is working to ensure all qualifications earned by learners are credible and internationally recognized.
Central Region TVET Chairperson Simon Ngatia said aggressive promotion of TVET programmes has improved enrollment in some counties, but Nyandarua still has only 3,931 students enrolled across its five fully equipped institutions.
Nyandarua National Polytechnic Principal Dr. Jane Gitau called for stronger collaboration among education stakeholders, while Assistant Chief Muna Muraya said he has personally been encouraging young people to pursue agriculture and other technical courses that respond to labour market demands.
Former students who recently completed an exchange programme in the United Kingdom said the initiative exposed them to modern technologies and global workplace practices, strengthening their competitiveness.
Stakeholders said the partnership between TVET institutions, NGAO officers and other government agencies is expected to accelerate enrollment while producing the skilled workforce needed to support Kenya’s industrialization and economic transformation.
By Kmutai Langat
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