A transformative shift is underway in Kilifi County’s technical and vocational education sector, as institutions pivot decisively towards a market-driven training model designed to equip students with precisely the skills demanded by today’s employers.
The move, championed by county education stakeholders, seeks to dismantle outdated perceptions and directly link classroom learning with industrial expertise, ensuring graduates are not just qualified but job-ready.
The renewed strategy was a central focus at a recent stakeholder workshop held in Muyeye, Kilifi County. The forum brought together technical institution administrators, industry experts, and community leaders with a dual mission: to raise awareness about the critical value of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and to solidify pathways from training directly into employment.
A New System for a New Market
At the heart of this upgrade is a new system fostering direct collaboration between students and professionals from the technical and industrial sectors. This “industry-linked” approach goes beyond theoretical knowledge, allowing students to gain hands-on experience, learn industry best practices, and understand real-world challenges directly from experts.
“Gone are the days of training in a vacuum,” explained Eddiestella Wanja, Director of Technical Institutions in Kilifi County. “Our institutions are now meticulously aligning their curricula with the pulse of the economy. We are providing training that goes directly to the needs of industries and the dynamic job market. When a student graduates from one of our institutions, they carry with them not a certificate alone, but a proven skill set that employer are actively seeking.”
Dispelling Myths, Celebrating Growth
Director Wanja also addressed long-standing stereotypes about technical education head-on, noting that enrollment trends tell a positive story.
“The previous notion that technical institutions do not attract students is incorrect and outdated,” Wanja stated. “We are seeing a satisfactory and growing number of young people choosing this pragmatic path. They, and their parents, are recognizing that a technical skill is a tangible asset—a passport to entrepreneurship, innovation, and secure employment in sectors that are building our nation.”
The emphasis is clear: TVET is no longer a secondary option, but a primary, powerful choice for building a sustainable career in fields like renewable energy, construction, manufacturing, automotive engineering, hospitality, and ICT—all critical to Kenya’s development agenda, and particularly to the economic growth of the Coastal region.
This proactive evolution in Kilifi mirrors a national trend that Vocation Hub Kenya has consistently championed. The integration of industry experts into the training ecosystem is a game-changer. It ensures that the training provided is agile and relevant, reducing the costly skills mismatch that has often left graduates frustrated and employers understaffed.
The workshop in Muyeye is a commendable step towards community engagement and changing the narrative. For students and parents in Kilifi and across Kenya, the message is clear: technical institutions are transforming into vibrant hubs of innovation and practical learning, directly plugged into the engine of industry.