TVETs open doors for students who missed university entry mark

TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria addresses the Press after meeting principals of TVETs at Kabete National Polytechnic on January 13, 2024. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] 

The government has assured learners that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are ready to accommodate them.

TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria, told parents, guardians, and students that no one will be left behind.

Dr Muoria explained that the transition to tertiary education has been made possible through the government's initiative of offering learners practical skills to build a better future.

"The TVET sector is committed to offering accessible, affordable, and relevant training that meets both national and international standards," she said.

The PS was speaking after meeting principals of TVETs at Kabete National Polytechnic on Monday.

This comes four days after the release of the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, where 716,212 candidates have a clear path to pursue technical skills.

The PS reiterated that as part of its commitment to providing relevant, quality education and training, the TVET sector has scaled up its capacity to accommodate the learners.

“This is in terms of infrastructure, curriculum development, and partnership with industry stakeholders to ensure the successful integration of these candidates,” she said.

For many students, particularly those from sub-county and county schools, TVET presents an opportunity to learn practical, market-driven skills.

“TVET institutions are incorporating soft skills training, entrepreneurship, and innovation into their curriculums, empowering students to create their own businesses or seamlessly integrate into the workforce,” the PS said.

Sub-county schools will send the largest group to TVETs, followed by county schools, extra county schools, private institutions, and national schools.

More than 240 new TVETs have been established across the country, focusing on vital sectors such as technology, manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture—areas crucial for economic growth.

“This expansion ensures that young Kenyans are equipped with cutting-edge, hands-on skills that will enhance their employability and entrepreneurship,” Muoria said.

The PS further said the curriculum has also undergone a major overhaul and that the courses now align with global market demands, including fields like digital skills, renewable energy, and automotive engineering.

“Through collaboration with the private sector, the TVET sector is ensuring that training programs are aligned with the industrial standards, thus increasing the employability of the graduates,” she said.

The meeting was also attended by Flora Mulatya, the Kenya Education Attaché to Australia and Zac Ekandi, a Senior Education Officer at TAFE New South Wales in promoting global partnerships in training and labour mobility.

This meeting explored further strategic partnerships in technical and vocational training between Kenya and Australia.

The partnership also focuses on collaboration in development of requisite training programs tailored to Australia's industry needs as well as smooth transition to the Australian job market.

“This collaboration marks a step forward in creating opportunities for Kenyan graduates and fostering international standards in training,” Mulatya said.

This comes a month after the TVET Curriculum Review, Adoption and Evaluation Program, a journey that started by National Polytechnics in August 2023.

The Curriculum Review, Adoption and Evaluation Program has seen 151 curriculum developed and approved after the 15-month journey.

The successful completion of the program will now give TVET sub-sector in general and in particular, National Polytechnics, a clear path and direction to absolutely implement the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET).

This also allows unified training across the country and in all public and private TVET institutions.

Internships and apprenticeships have been enhanced, providing students with hands-on experiences in real world environments. Financial support to students.

At the same time, internships, apprenticeships, and industrial attachments have been enhanced, giving students real-world experience.

“By aligning our training programs with industrial standards, we are not just educating students; we are empowering them to seamlessly integrate into the workforce or create their own opportunities,” Muoria added.