- KUCCPS is offering free career guidance and placement advisory services during the Skill Up Africa Summit at KICC.
- The agency says the initiative will help students make informed choices before joining universities, TVET institutions and colleges.
- KUCCPS has also warned students and parents against fraudsters claiming to facilitate transfers for a fee.
As thousands of students prepare to join universities, TVET institutions and colleges in September, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has intensified its nationwide career guidance campaign to help learners make informed academic and career choices.
The placement agency is currently offering free career guidance and placement advisory services at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi during the two-day Skill Up Africa Summit 2026, a high-level forum bringing together policymakers, employers, education institutions, labour market experts and private sector players to deliberate on the future of work, skills development and youth employability.
KUCCPS said its officers are stationed at the summit to provide learners, parents, teachers and guardians with accurate information on university admissions, TVET opportunities, college placement procedures and career pathways aligned with Kenya’s evolving labour market.
According to the agency, the exercise is designed to help learners understand the available academic programmes, identify careers that match their interests, talents and abilities, and make informed decisions before joining institutions of higher learning.
Guiding students after placement
The initiative comes barely a week after KUCCPS released the 2026/2027 placement results, which saw 293,869 students successfully placed in universities and tertiary institutions across the country.
Of these, 202,133 students secured admission to degree programmes, while 91,736 were placed in diploma, certificate and artisan courses offered by universities, TVET institutions and colleges.
Education experts have welcomed the guidance programme, noting that many students often select courses based on peer influence, prestige or public perception rather than their strengths, interests and emerging labour market demands.
Career officers at the summit are also educating learners on opportunities within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), an area the government continues to prioritise as part of efforts to equip young people with practical, industry-driven skills that respond to changing economic needs.
The programme also supports the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum by helping learners understand different career pathways, emerging professions and the skills required in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
Warning against fraudsters
KUCCPS has announced that students wishing to change the courses or institutions in which they were placed will be allowed to apply once the inter-institutional transfer window officially opens.
The transfer exercise will run for one month, giving applicants sufficient time to review their placement and submit requests where necessary before the September intake.
However, the placement agency has issued a strong warning against fraudsters exploiting anxious students and parents by falsely claiming they can facilitate transfers for a fee.
KUCCPS clarified that the transfer application portal has not yet been opened and urged the public to ignore misleading information circulating on social media and other unofficial platforms.
The agency emphasised that official communication regarding transfer dates and procedures will only be released through its verified communication channels, including the KUCCPS website, Student Portal and official social media pages.
Education stakeholders said the warning is timely, especially after reports emerged of fraudsters targeting students immediately after the release of placement results by promising guaranteed transfers in exchange for money.
Expanding career sensitisation
Beyond the Nairobi summit, KUCCPS has continued expanding its career sensitisation programme across the country to improve career awareness among secondary school learners.
Last week, the agency partnered with stakeholders in Mombasa County to conduct career guidance sessions aimed at helping students understand education and training opportunities available after secondary school.
On July 11, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Mercy Wahome also led the agency’s participation at the Zetech University Career Fair, where students from 26 secondary schools in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Murang’a counties received guidance on career pathways, university programmes and technical training opportunities.
Education stakeholders believe such outreach programmes are critical in bridging the information gap that often leaves many students uncertain during the placement process.
READ ALSO: MMUST hosts global disaster risk summer school to strengthen climate resilience in Eastern Africa
With Kenya’s education system increasingly focusing on skills development, innovation and employability, career guidance is becoming an essential pillar in helping learners make choices that not only reflect their passions but also respond to the country’s economic priorities and future workforce demands.
By Hillary Muhalya
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
>>> Click here to stay ahead with the latest national news.
