Kenya has unveiled plans to assess, train, and formally certify over 2 million workers in the informal sector, in a move aimed at enhancing productivity, improving employability, and promoting recognition of skills acquired through experience.
At the same time, Kenyans have been encouraged to take advantage of the newly launched Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) courses, which will enable them to be more competitive for more lucrative jobs within and outside the country.
The Kakamega County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Dr. Lawrence Omuhaka, while officially closing the Western Region RPL Practitioner Training Workshop at Shamberere National Polytechnic, stated that Kenya should seriously consider RPL if it is to compete effectively in the innovation industry.
He said the county and national governments were working in collaboration to realize this training, where vocational training centers will also be empowered to offer RPL training to reach out to as many Kenyans as possible.
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Omuhaka said the RPL was a major ongoing government programme aimed at equipping and uplifting the livelihood of those workers in the informal sector.
“We have a lot of workers in the informal sector that are driving the economy of the country but have no certificates and these are the ones we are targeting so that they can be able to be trained, assessed and awarded certificates enabling them to be more professional and recognized all over the globe,” he said.
He called on the residents to take the lead in the targeted two-million training programme to see the county grow, as it was in dire need of such expertise.
“This training is long overdue in the country as many other countries including the Asian tigers, India and Malaysia embraced the programme long ago leading to their transformation economically, and with Kenya emulating the same it will not only be competitive but be able to grow to another level as more livelihoods will be improved,” he added.
The director of the prior learning delivery unit, Stanley Maindi, lauded the 100 practitioners who attended and completed the one-week training course, and assured them that the certificates awarded to them were recognised throughout the country and would be accepted in any employment sector in the country, as well as beyond its borders.
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He said the initiative was meant to recognise and certify different professionals in various fields across the country since those sectors were being driven by workers who lacked proper certification.
“This transformative effort aims to provide many Kenyans with official recognition for their practical skills, which they have developed through work experience, self-instruction, or informal apprenticeships,” he assured.
Maindi highlighted that the programme is designed to integrate these skilled individuals into the formal economy by awarding nationally recognised certificates, thereby boosting their employability and socio-economic status.
Dr. Elisha Nyamu is the Chief Principal of Shamberere National Polytechnic, hailed the state department for launching the RPL training at the institution, adding that it will have a positive impact on society.
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He called on more professional to consider coming to Shamberere National Polytechnic to undertake a course of their choice, after which they will be awarded their certificates of completion.
“We are honoured to be among the institutions in the country awarded the mandate to offer the RPL training programme, and we shall ensure that we give our best to our trainees.
The government’s recognition of prior learning (RPL) policy, driven by the state department for technical and vocational education and training (TVET), has already been launched, with Shamberere National Polytechnic playing a pivotal role in the early training stages of the programme,” added Nyamu.
By Wakhungu Andanje
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