NAIROBI, Kenya — In a significant move to enhance vocational education and training in Kenya, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has teamed up with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to roll out a Dual Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program. This innovative initiative aims to blend apprenticeships within companies with vocational education, providing students with practical industry skills alongside their academic learning in colleges.
According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training, the partnership seeks to fortify collaboration with countries renowned for their vocational training excellence, such as Germany and Finland. The dual training program is designed to align businesses with the requisite skills, thereby enhancing productivity and improving employee retention rates. Dr. Muoria emphasized the government’s commitment to competency-based education and training, highlighting the investment in state-of-the-art equipment for TVET institutions to facilitate practical learning experiences.
The official launch of the Dual TVET Training Program Partnership 2024 took place in Nairobi, where the PS’s speech was delivered by Mr. Joseph Njau, the Policy and Strategy Director of TVET. The program, described as a working technique of learning, primarily focuses on practical work experience, allocating 70 percent of training within the industry and 30 percent in educational institutions. This model not only bridges the skill gap but also prepares trainees for the demands of a rapidly evolving labor market.
Dr. Muoria pointed out that the dual training concept has been successfully implemented in several developed countries, proving to be an effective strategy for imparting practical skills and industry training. The initiative is part of a broader goal to ensure sustainability beyond 2026, with plans to introduce additional components to the TVET framework.
The partnership also involves setting up industry support for skills development, focusing on linkages, industrial training, and integration. This approach aims to equip graduates with skills relevant to both the international and local labor markets, addressing the gap between industry needs and trainee employment.
Matts Weurlander, Counselor-Skills and Development and Job Creation at the Embassy of Finland, highlighted the importance of collaboration between partners to equip trainees with employable skills. He noted the dynamic nature of the world necessitates flexibility and innovation among students.
Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Director of Youth and Jobs at KEPSA, underscored the private sector’s role in promoting job creation and fostering business collaboration. He stressed the need for TVET programs to adapt to the complexities of the job market by offering relevant skills.
The Dual TVET Training Program marks a significant step towards modernizing vocational education in Kenya, promising to create a more skilled workforce tailored to the needs of the evolving job market.
NAIVASHA — Professor Edward Kisiang’ani, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, has called for greater financial support from Parliament to fuel the government’s communication and digital agenda. During a session with the National Assembly Committee on ICT in Naivasha, Prof. Kisiang’ani emphasized the need for enhanced budgetary allocations to bridge a significant funding gap that is hampering the nation’s digital progress and the effective dissemination of government achievements to the public.
According to Kenya News Agency, the department faces an Sh8 billion budget shortfall, critically affecting its ability to extend digital services to underserved communities and streamline the delivery of government services. He urged the ICT Committee members to reevaluate and increase the budgetary allocation to the ministry to facilitate a faster transition to digital technologies.
The Principal Secretary highlighted the pivotal role of the State Department in achieving the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, stating that adequate funding is essential for meeting its objectives on schedule. He pointed out that additional resources are necessary for modernizing key government agencies such as the Kenya News Agency, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), and Kenya Postal Corporation, which are instrumental in executing the government’s communication strategy.
Prof. Kisiang’ani also stressed the importance of finalizing projects like the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication’s Eldoret Campus and advancing the Studio Mashinani project, which aims to exploit the creative talents of the nation’s youth. He advocated for safeguarding the communication budget from supplementary cuts that have previously undermined modernization efforts and operational efficacy.
Despite the financial constraints, the Principal Secretary outlined the department’s accomplishments, including the production of extensive news briefs, television items, regional online publications, and print news items. He also called for an immediate allocation of Sh1 billion to implement the Ministry’s newly approved Scheme of Service Structure, designed to optimize operational efficiency and staff performance.
To address the department’s Sh1.5 billion in pending bills, prioritizing those incurred in the last two years, Kisiang’ani has initiated a payment plan. Moreover, he announced efforts to update the legal and policy framework governing the sector, including reviewing the Kenya Information and Communication Act and the Kenya Postal Corporation Act, to adapt to emerging issues and enhance regulatory efficiency.
Acknowledging the budgetary challenges, Committee chair John Kiarie expressed the committee’s commitment to addressing the Ministry’s funding needs within the constraints of the current budget ceilings, recognizing the critical role of digital infrastructure and communication in Kenya’s development agenda.