Kenya’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions were in the spotlight recently.They were celebrated for their outstanding role in skills development, pioneering innovation, and promoting inclusivity. The accolades were presented during the prestigious Dual TVET Midterm Project Review and Recognition Gala held in Nairobi.
The event saw Taita Taveta National Polytechnic and Kiambu National Polytechnic emerge as the overall champions, recognized for their exemplary implementation of the dual TVET model. This model blends classroom learning with hands-on, industry-based experience, creating a robust pipeline of skilled graduates ready for the workforce.
In a powerful demonstration of the program’s commitment to leaving no one behind, special honors for promoting inclusion were awarded to the Karen Technical Institute for the Deaf and the Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind. Their work ensures that all Kenyan youth, regardless of ability, have access to quality skills training.
The success of the dual TVET system hinges on strong partnerships with industry. Companies such as Gold Crown EPZ and Stantec Motors were among those recognized for their pivotal role in supporting industry-based learning, providing trainees with invaluable real-world experience.
Dr. Esther Muoria, TVET Principal Secretary, praised the growing synergy between training institutions and industries, emphasizing that dual TVET is successfully turning learning into livelihoods.
“Our youth are one of our biggest resources, if not actually the biggest, in Kenya,” Dr. Muoria stated during the gala. “Therefore, we want to ensure that they are properly skilled through dual TVET because this is the resource that as a country, we are going to depend on to industrialize this country.”
Educators from the winning institutions attested to the transformative impact of the dual training model.
Lorah Abedi, a representative from the champion Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, highlighted the marked improvement in graduate quality. “We’ve seen a change in the quality of trainees since we onboarded dual training,” Abedi said. “Our trainees appreciate the work they are going to do out in the industry. They get hands-on experience. It’s exposed them to a whole lot of things that other graduates do not get an opportunity to experience.”
Echoing these sentiment, Kiambu National Polytechnic’s Chief Principal, Sammy Waititu, celebrated their victory and the profound impact on students. “We have won all the prestigious awards, including being the overall winner,” said Waititu. “What is more important is actually the impact of dual training… our trainees graduate and even before they graduate, they are absorbed into the labor market. I believe that is the way to go.”
The gala served as a resounding endorsement of Kenya’s dual TVET strategy, underscoring its critical role in equipping the youth with market-relevant skills, fostering innovation, and driving the nation’s industrial growth.
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