Kenya is set to host the International TVET Conference 2026, bringing together policymakers, training institutions, industry players and development partners to discuss the future of technical and vocational education and training. The three-day conference will be held from September 9 to 11, 2026, at the Mövenpick Hotel & Residences in Westlands, Nairobi, under the theme of shaping the future of skills development and strengthening pathways to youth employment.
Organised by the Ministry of Education through the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the conference is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to examine how TVET can respond to changing labour-market demands and prepare young people for emerging opportunities. The discussions will focus on areas including skills development, youth employability, industry-training institution collaboration and the evolving needs of the labour market.
The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical sessions and networking opportunities, bringing together leaders and practitioners from Kenya and beyond. A major highlight will be a public exhibition running alongside the conference, providing an opportunity for members of the public to interact with TVET innovations and practical skills.
The exhibition will showcase student projects, hands-on demonstrations, innovative training technologies and other solutions developed within the TVET sector. The event also comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to strengthen the connection between training and employment, particularly by ensuring that graduates acquire practical and market-relevant skills.
The International TVET Conference 2026 is supported by the Promotion of Youth Employment and Vocational Training Programme, jointly funded by the governments of Kenya, Finland, Germany and South Korea. The conference is expected to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share experiences, showcase innovations and identify approaches that can strengthen TVET systems and improve the transition of young people from training to the workplace.
For Kenya, the forum presents an opportunity to position TVET not only as an alternative pathway in education, but as a key driver of employment, innovation, industrial development and economic growth.