Masinga TVC holds inaugural graduation as 60 trainees earn RPL certification

Masinga Technical and Vocational College (MTVC) in Machakos County has held its first graduation ceremony, with 60 trainees graduating through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme as the institution steps up efforts to promote practical skills, innovation and enterprise.

The ceremony was presided over by Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Dr Esther Thaara Muoria. It marked a milestone for the college as it continues to prepare learners for employment and self-reliance.

Muoria stressed the importance of equipping trainees with practical competencies that can translate into jobs, business opportunities and higher productivity, noting that technical training should contribute to the country's industrialisation agenda.

She commended the college for embracing technology and environmentally friendly practices in its training, particularly its virtual reality laboratories, which run entirely on solar power. The college's use of cabro-making machines for production was also highlighted as an example of combining practical training with income generation, allowing learners to connect the skills they acquire with real-world production.

The 60 candidates received certification through RPL for skills acquired through experience. The programme gives individuals a pathway to have competencies gained outside formal training assessed and recognised, which may support career progression and access to new opportunities.

Muoria urged the graduands to complement their technical knowledge with discipline, respect and a strong work ethic, saying professional success depends not only on possessing skills but also on the quality, precision and care with which tasks are performed. She challenged training institutions to ensure that their programmes, workshops and equipment deliver practical outcomes, including employment, productivity and enterprise development.

The emphasis on skills-based training comes as the country looks to TVET institutions to develop the workforce needed to support industrial growth and expand opportunities for young people.

The graduands were encouraged to apply their skills in workplaces, businesses and their communities, and to use their qualifications to improve their livelihoods and contribute to national development.