The Technical and Vocational Education and Training, (TVET) Principal Secretary, PS Esther Muoria on August 20 launched the National Career Guidance Training Program at Kabete National Polytechnic.
The program is designed to strengthen career services across TVET institutions by equipping learners with the knowledge and mentorship needed to match training with the demands of the job market. It will also see the establishment of fully functional Career Services offices in colleges to provide structured guidance to students.
The initiative is part of the National Policy Framework for Career Guidance in Kenya, which is overseen by the State Department for Labour and Skills Development. The framework requires institutions to integrate career counseling, labour market information, mentorship and structured pathways into their training. It also provides guidelines and reporting systems for institutions to monitor progress.
The launch comes at a time when Kenya is grappling with a widening skills mismatch and high youth unemployment. According to education officials, the program aims to address these gaps by streamlining school-to-work transitions and strengthening links between industry and training.
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Through partnerships with UNESCO, the International Labour Organization, the German Development Agency (GIZ) and local stakeholders, the government hopes to close the supply-demand gap in skills and ensure that graduates are better prepared for employment.
Among those who attended the launch were Herman Shambi from the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, David Onyango from UNESCO and Prof. Kisilu Kitainge from the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC). Representatives from GIZ, the Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET) and other partners were also present.
The Kenya School of TVET is expected to play a central role by training career officers and supporting professional development for practitioners across the country. Previous efforts such as the National Volunteer Programme, which placed Volunteer Graduate Assistants in institutions to operationalize career offices, will also be built upon to ensure the rollout is effective.
Government officials say the program is not just about guiding students into existing opportunities but also about expanding their choices through mentorship and industry partnerships. Initiatives like dual TVET models, supported by GIZ and industry players, are expected to complement the career services by ensuring that training is aligned with labour market needs.
By Benedict Aoya
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