PS Muoria rallies TVET agencies to strengthen governance and skills training

Principal Secretary for Technical, Vocational Education and Training Esther Muoria has called for closer coordination among government agencies in the TVET sector to improve service delivery, strengthen governance and ensure training programmes respond effectively to Kenya's changing economic and industrial needs.

Muoria made the remarks while chairing a high-level meeting bringing together Heads of Departments from the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training and senior officials from key agencies responsible for qualifications, curriculum development, accreditation and skills training.

The meeting brought together leadership from the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC), Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET). Discussions focused on sector priorities, inter-agency coordination and the need to align implementation of government programmes with measurable outcomes.

Muoria also welcomed newly appointed secretaries and officials who have taken up new or expanded responsibilities within the State Department and its agencies, congratulating them on their appointments and challenging them to demonstrate professionalism, accountability and commitment to delivering results.

The PS said the growing importance of TVET in Kenya's economic transformation requires institutions within the sector to work as a coordinated system rather than operate in isolation. She emphasised that effective leadership and disciplined implementation were critical to ensuring that policies and programmes translate into tangible improvements for trainees, trainers, institutions and industry.

"The TVET sector must deliver responsive and accountable institutions aligned with industry and economic needs," she said.

The meeting comes as the Government continues to position technical and vocational education as a critical pillar in addressing youth unemployment, developing skilled manpower and supporting industrialisation. Muoria said the State Department would continue working with its agencies to strengthen governance structures and improve efficiency across the sector, adding that greater collaboration was necessary to eliminate duplication, streamline systems and ensure that institutions responsible for curriculum development, assessment, certification, qualifications and regulation operate towards common national objectives.

The PS further underscored the importance of equipping trainers with practical and relevant skills to keep pace with technological changes and emerging demands in the labour market, saying trainers were central to the success of the TVET system and that strengthening their capacity would ultimately improve the quality of graduates entering the workforce.

The Government has increasingly turned to TVET institutions as key centres for developing practical skills needed in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, information and communications technology, energy, transport and other emerging industries. Muoria said the sector must therefore remain responsive to the needs of employers and the wider economy by promoting skills that enhance employability, entrepreneurship, innovation and productivity.

She urged the officials to maintain a culture of accountability and results while implementing programmes under the State Department, stressing that effective coordination between the State Department and sector agencies would be essential in translating policy priorities into measurable achievements. She also stressed the need for unified leadership as the Government seeks to strengthen Kenya's technical skills pipeline and prepare young people for opportunities created by a rapidly changing economy.

The meeting provided a platform for senior officials to review ongoing priorities, clarify responsibilities and reinforce collaboration between the various institutions involved in TVET development. Muoria said the leadership would continue working as one team to strengthen the sector's institutional capacity and improve the quality and accessibility of technical training, noting that a stronger TVET system would not only provide young people with employable skills but also contribute to innovation, enterprise development and Kenya's broader economic transformation agenda.

The PS challenged the new and existing leadership to embrace their responsibilities with discipline and a clear focus on service delivery, saying the ultimate measure of success should be the ability of TVET institutions to produce competent graduates equipped to meet the demands of industry and create opportunities for themselves and others.

Muoria reaffirmed her commitment to working with all stakeholders to build a responsive, accountable and industry-oriented TVET sector capable of supporting Kenya's development ambitions.