- Taita Taveta and Kiambu National Polytechnics have emerged as overall champions in Kenya’s Dual TVET programme.
- Inclusive training institutions and industry partners were also recognised for strengthening workplace-based learning opportunities for trainees.
- TVET PS Esther Muoria says stronger industry partnerships can equip young people with skills needed for employment.
Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have been recognised for helping young people acquire practical skills and transition into the labour market through Dual TVET.
The recognition came during the Dual TVET mid-term project review and recognition gala in Nairobi, which brought together training institutions and industry partners.
Taita Taveta National Polytechnic and Kiambu National Polytechnic emerged as the overall Dual TVET champions. Karen Technical Institute for the Deaf and Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind were honoured for promoting inclusion, while Gold Crown EPZ and Stantech Motors were among companies recognised for supporting industry-based learning.
Kiambu National Polytechnic Chief Principal Sammy K. Waititu said the institution had lived up to expectations after being selected to lead the programme.
“We were selected as three institutions and Kiambu was given the lead, and I want to say that we’ve not disappointed. We’ve won all the prestigious awards including being the overall winner,” Waititu said.
Taita Taveta National Polytechnic Deputy Principal Lorah Abedi said the programme had improved the quality of trainees by giving them an opportunity to gain experience in real work environments.
“We’ve seen a change in the quality of the products, that’s the trainees that we’ve input since we onboarded. While training, our trainees appreciate the work that they are going to do out in the industry. They get hands-on experience. It has exposed them to a whole lot of things other graduates do not get an opportunity to experience,” Abedi said.
She said the impact of the programme was already being seen in the employment of trainees, with some being absorbed into the labour market even before they graduate.
Muoria backs industry partnerships
TVET Principal Secretary Dr Esther Muoria praised the growing partnership between training institutions and industries, saying Dual TVET was turning learning into livelihoods.
“Our youths are one of the biggest resources if not actually the biggest in Kenya, and therefore we want to ensure that they are properly skilled through Dual TVET because this is the resource that as a country we are going to depend on to industrialize this country,” Muoria said.
READ ALSO: Nandi expands ECDE support as Governor Sang launches Sh90 million school milk programme
The recognition highlights the growing collaboration between Kenya’s TVET institutions and industry in equipping young people with practical skills and preparing them for the labour market and the country’s industrialisation agenda.
By Lizzy Aluga
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
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
