Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have been challenged to involve industries and financial institutions in future exhibitions to enable all stakeholders to benefit from collaboration and innovation.
TVET Director of Trainer Management Dr. Lawrence Guantai said TVET institutions can share ideas with industries, banks, SACCOs, and other institutions during TVET Fair competitions through active participation in the annual event.
Speaking at Meru National Polytechnic in Meru Town during the closing ceremony of the Mount Kenya East TVET Fair, Dr. Guantai said many challenges could be addressed when such institutions collaborate and work together.
He noted that TVET trainees undertake industrial attachments in industries and financial institutions where they continue to sharpen the skills acquired in colleges.
Dr. Guantai added that such collaboration could also lead to the implementation of dual training programmes among the participating institutions.
“I challenge the organisers of the TVET Fair to ensure industries participate from next year. Let institutions like banks and SACCOs also be involved, even if only through exhibitions. That is where our trainees go for attachments. Together, we can work out ways of solving certain problems through ICT,” said Dr. Guantai.
He added:
“They would like to borrow some skills from us. Let them come and exchange ideas with us. We can collaborate with them through attachments by opening workshops there and implementing dual training within institutions and facilities. It is very key.”
He lauded principals and trainers for molding trainees to the high standards witnessed during the exhibitions despite limited resources.
“Your work as principals and trainers matters. Keep pushing for CBET, retooling, and linking your work to the real world outside. The fair shows us what is possible when you invest in practical skills,” said Dr. Guantai.
The Director advised trainees to embrace the next phase of skilling through better equipment in workshops, more industry attachments, and stronger recognition so that experience can count in their work.
Dr. Guantai challenged trainees to use the exhibitions as a stepping stone to build better innovations since they are key drivers of the economy.
“Let this not be the end but the spark to build something better. Kenya’s economy needs your hands, minds, and machines. Degrees and certificates open doors, but skills build the nation, as shown by the electricians, designers, and welders during the exhibitions,” he said.
He further urged both trainers and trainees to ensure that their products improve through continuous testing and innovation.
“Ensure you design, build, test, and improve. If it does not work out well the first time, improve it because that is what the industry demands,” he said.
Dr. Guantai encouraged trainees to develop products capable of solving real challenges facing the country and surrounding communities.
Mount Kenya East TVET Chairlady and Samburu TTI Principal Ms. Lucy Mutembei attributed the success of this year’s Mount Kenya East TVET Fair to the modularized curriculum, which pays more attention to skills development than theoretical knowledge.
Ms. Mutembei urged trainees to apply the skills acquired during the exhibitions in the job market for economic empowerment.
She said the competition was fair and transparent, noting that the best teams emerged victorious and will represent the region at the national level in Wajir County during the Madaraka Day celebrations.
READ ALSO: TVET managers told to deepen industry links to equip trainees with market-ready skills
“Let the skills and innovation move beyond this place to the outside world. I attribute the success of the exhibitions to the modularized curriculum that pays more attention to skills development compared to where more attention was placed on knowledge development. Today, the best teams won and will represent us at the national level in Wajir County during the Madaraka Week celebrations,” said Ms. Mutembei.
The theme of the 2026 event was: “Transforming Tomorrow Today.”
By John Majau
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