PS Muoria urges TVET colleges to turn workshops into job-creation hubs

Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Esther Muoria has challenged technical training institutions to maximise available resources and strengthen practical learning to equip trainees with industry-relevant skills and improve their employment prospects.

During her Portfolio of Evidence tour at Koshin Technical Training Institute and Moiben Technical and Vocational College in Uasin Gishu County, Muoria emphasised the importance of digital literacy, hands-on training and enterprise development in preparing young people for the demands of a changing economy.

Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Esther Muoria checking out some of the designed clothes at the Fashion and Design workshop in Koshin TTI

At Koshin Technical Training Institute, the PS visited the Jitume Lab, a Government of Kenya initiative, where she underscored the role of computer skills in enhancing employability, fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurship.

She also toured the institution’s Fashion and Design workshop, where trainees produce garments for local primary and secondary schools. The initiative demonstrates how TVET institutions can address community needs while giving learners practical experience and promoting local production.

In the cosmetology department, Muoria urged trainers and trainees to uphold precision, professionalism and quality in their work, noting the importance of developing competencies that can translate into employment and business opportunities.

Her tour also took her to Moiben Technical and Vocational College, a Centre of Excellence in Automotive, where she assessed the institution’s progress in equipping trainees with skills relevant to the job market.

At the college’s automotive garage and cosmetology department, Muoria challenged the institution to make effective use of available machinery and training equipment to strengthen hands-on learning and improve productivity.

She further stressed the importance of discipline, precision and attention to detail in training, saying these qualities are essential in preparing competent graduates who can meet industry standards and respond to workplace demands.

The visits highlighted the need for TVET institutions to move beyond theoretical instruction and ensure trainees acquire practical competencies that can help them secure employment, establish businesses and contribute to economic development.

Muoria’s emphasis on digital skills, local production and the effective use of training resources reflects the broader goal of strengthening Kenya’s TVET sector as a driver of youth empowerment, innovation and industrial growth.

By aligning training with industry needs and providing learners with opportunities to apply their skills in real-world settings, technical institutions can play a critical role in bridging the gap between education and employment.