By Felix Wanderi
The government has increased the number of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions in the country from 52 in 2013 to 238 in 2021 at a cost of Sh10.6 billion.
Margaret Mwakima, the Principal Secretary State Department For Vocational and Technical Training speaking on Wednesday during the 8th graduation ceremony at the Thika Technical Training Institute said that out of the 238 TVET institutions , 192 are operational and 46 are nearing completion.
“The government is investing in modernizing and expanding technical and vocational institutiona. It expects to meet human resources needs for the industry and equipment for the growing industrial of the country. the government would like to see national polytechnics, technical training institutes, technical and vocational colleges supplying the skilled human resource,” said Mwakima.
The PS, who was the Chief Guest at the event said that due to the Sh10.3 billion capitation government grants and Sh11.1 billion HELB loans to TVET trainees since 2019 there has been an increase in enrollment from 55,945 in 2013 to 249,316 in 2021.
“Additionally a conditional grant of sh2 billion is given to vocational training centres every financial year,” the PS said.
Mwakima said that arrangements are in place to recruit 3000 trainers to address current shortages in all the TVET institutions with the government making reforms in training programmes and have provided ultramodern level equipment for training.
“We have moved to competency based education and training, where we train with the industry on a 50-50 basis to prepare students for the world of work. The trainees are the reason why the government shall continue to fund the construction and equipping of modern workshops and laboratories in STEM related courses to ensure TVET institutions provide topmost notch training experience,” She said.
