Technical and vocational training institutions have been urged to intensify preparedness for the first cohort under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, which is expected to be fully implemented in 2029, as the government accelerates reforms aimed at aligning training with labour market demands.
The transition, which demands urgency and readiness across all training institutions, is expected to reshape Kenya’s skills development landscape by placing greater emphasis on practical competencies, industry exposure and hands-on learning.
Speaking during the 6th graduation ceremony at Nyeri National Polytechnic in Nyeri County, TVET Principal Secretary Esther Thaara Muoria said institutions are already well positioned to receive the upcoming cohort, citing significant investments in infrastructure and training capacity.
She noted that TVET institutions have fully embedded the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, with modern workshops, improved facilities and trained faculty ready to support the new system.
“Our institutions are ready for this transition. We have modern infrastructure, well-equipped workshops and trained trainers to deliver competency-based learning,” she said.
Muoria added that the government is also strengthening sustainability in TVET institutions through solarisation and water harvesting systems to reduce operational costs and improve self-reliance.
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She further announced plans to deepen collaboration between training institutions and industry, saying automotive engineering centres will be registered as garages by the Kenya Motor Repairers Association to allow trainees to service government vehicles while gaining practical experience.
She stressed that TVET must shift fully towards skills-based training rather than academic orientation.
“TVET should not be academic but technical. It must be aligned to industry needs,” she said, adding that future graduates should be assessed and recognized based on practical competence.
Muoria also pointed to a shift in graduation culture, saying trainees should increasingly present themselves in attire that reflects their trades, such as overalls and toolkits for mechanics, as part of building professional identity in technical careers.
The remarks came during a ceremony where more than 2,900 students graduated from Engineering, Applied and Health Sciences, and Business and Social Sciences programmes at artisan, craft, diploma and higher diploma levels under the theme “Skills that Develop Nations: Training for Prosperity.”
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Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the county government is investing heavily in education to strengthen skills development and improve employability among young people.
He said over Sh879 million has been disbursed through the Nyeri County Elimu Fund, benefiting more than 156,000 learners, with 30 per cent of the funds directed to tertiary institutions including TVET colleges.
“The future of any nation is only as strong as the skills of its people. As someone who began life in the classroom, I have seen firsthand how education transforms lives, builds confidence, and opens doors that would otherwise remain closed. This is why we continue to invest in education at all levels, because we understand that developing human capital is the most sustainable foundation for economic growth and service delivery,” he said.
Kahiga added that the county currently supports about 2,900 trainees across 28 vocational training centres and has invested in modern equipment, workshops and student accommodation to improve training quality.
On employment, he noted that over 1,400 graduates have benefited from a county internship programme over the past seven years, with plans underway to double annual intake to 400 interns.
He also highlighted partnerships that allow biomedical engineering trainees to train in county hospitals under a dual training model aimed at strengthening practical exposure.
The governor urged graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation, saying the labour market increasingly rewards practical skills and initiative rather than academic qualifications alone.
“I want to urge our graduands not to wait for jobs to come to you. Use the skills you have acquired here to start something, fix something, or build something. Through the Nyeri County Elimu Fund and our internship programmes, we are creating pathways for you, but you must also take initiative. The training you have received is not only for employment but for enterprise—you can create jobs, employ others, and contribute meaningfully to the development of our county and country,” he said.
By Special correspondent
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