Kiambu National Polytechnic is set to introduce landscaping as a standalone training course as the institution expands its focus on green skills and international employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.
The proposed programme is part of the institution’s efforts to respond to emerging labour market demands while equipping trainees with practical skills that can be applied both locally and abroad.
Kiambu National Polytechnic Chief Principal Sammy Waititu said plans are at an advanced stage to introduce landscaping training at the institution, building on practical landscaping and green skills already incorporated into existing programmes.
Waititu said landscaping skills have been integrated into training programmes, including Building and Civil Engineering, Agriculture and Environmental Studies, giving trainees practical exposure to an area with growing potential for employment and entrepreneurship.
He noted that landscaping is increasingly becoming an important component of urban development, environmental conservation and property management, creating opportunities for skilled workers in areas such as garden design, maintenance, horticulture, irrigation and environmental management.
The proposed course is expected to provide young people with another avenue to acquire specialised technical skills that can translate into employment or self-employment.
Graduates to pursue opportunities in Germany
The polytechnic is also positioning its graduates to take advantage of international labour mobility opportunities. Waititu revealed that 11 graduates from the institution are set to travel to Bavaria, Germany, as part of an inaugural cohort of 31 Kenyan participants under the Bilateral Labour Mobility and Talent Gateway programmes.
The initiative provides an opportunity for skilled Kenyan youth to access employment opportunities in the German labour market while gaining international work experience. Waititu encouraged young Kenyans to view technical and vocational education as a pathway not only to local employment but also to opportunities in international labour markets.
He urged youth to acquire practical skills and internationally relevant qualifications to improve their competitiveness.
According to the principal, the growing demand for skilled workers in international markets demonstrates the importance of aligning training programmes with the needs of employers. He said institutions must continue strengthening practical training, industry linkages and exposure to emerging technologies to ensure graduates are ready for the changing world of work.
Green skills gaining importance
The planned landscaping course also reflects the growing importance of green skills in technical education. As urban areas expand and environmental concerns increase, demand is growing for workers capable of supporting sustainable construction, landscaping, environmental management, water conservation and green infrastructure.
For Kiambu National Polytechnic, integrating such skills into conventional technical programmes is intended to give trainees a broader understanding of how their professions can contribute to sustainable development. Waititu said the institution would continue exploring new training areas that respond to changing economic and technological realities.
The move comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to increase access to technical and vocational education as a means of addressing youth unemployment and developing a workforce equipped with practical, industry-relevant skills.
A pathway beyond traditional employment
The principal also challenged young people to move beyond the perception that success must come through traditional white-collar employment. He said technical skills can enable young people to secure employment, establish businesses and compete for opportunities outside the country.
The German opportunity, he noted, demonstrates how vocational training can open doors to global employment markets when graduates possess the required competencies and qualifications. For the 11 Kiambu National Polytechnic graduates preparing to travel to Bavaria, the programme represents an opportunity to apply their skills in a new environment while gaining valuable international experience.
Waititu therefore encouraged more Kenyan youth to consider technical training as a strategic career choice. As Kiambu National Polytechnic prepares to expand its landscaping training and strengthen international labour opportunities, the institution is positioning itself at the intersection of technical education, green skills and global employment—areas increasingly shaping the future of work.
For Kenya’s growing youth population, such initiatives could provide alternative pathways into employment, entrepreneurship and international careers, while helping bridge the gap between training and the skills demanded by employers.