- The PS said that TVETs play a crucial role in equipping youths with relevant knowledge and skills that preparing them for the job market and entrepreneurship.
- A recent data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicated that more than three million Kenyans, mostly youths, are jobless.
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The Government is keen on enhancing technical and vocational training in the country so as to bridge the skills gap, Principal Secretary State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Esther Muoria has said.
The PS said that TVETs play a crucial role in equipping youths with relevant knowledge and skills that prepare them for the job market and entrepreneurship.
Recent data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicated that more than three million Kenyans, mostly youths, are jobless.
In a speech read on her behalf by Dr Bernard Isalambo during the 3rd graduation ceremony at Cascade Institute of Hospitality, which saw some 350 graduates conferred with diplomas and certificates, in Thika, the PS averred that TVET training is playing a pivotal role in preparing graduates with cutting edge skills to ensure our graduands are competitive in the global job market.
Dr Isalambo said that the Kenyan government is committed to bridging the skills gap and ensuring that the country has a skilled workforce that will be imperative in steering the country’s economic growth and development.
He pointed out that the national vision for TVET is to create a workforce that is not just job-ready but also innovative and adaptable to the changing needs of industry and the global economy.
Dr Isalambo also quipped that the Ministry of Education is working closely with private investors in the technical and vocational training sector to ensure that more Kenyans are equipped with vital skills.
“The Ministry appreciates private investors, like Cascade Institute of Hospitality, who have taken the initiative to partner with government in providing technical and vocational training to the youth,” he said.
He maintained that ensuring that students acquire cutting-edge skills not only enables them to compete effectively in the global job market, characterized by technological changes and the fourth industrial revolution but will also help them to venture into entrepreneurship and create opportunities for other Kenyans.
He challenged TVETs across the country to ensure that their training programmes evolve continuously to equip Kenyan youth with the expertise and competencies needed to thrive in a dynamic and competitive landscape.
The scholar also called on the institutions to partner with industry players to solidify their education and training curriculum and train and examine students.
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He also called on TVETs to put in place elaborate and efficient quality assurance mechanisms and ensure compliance with regulatory bodies' standards.
“Comply with provisions of the TVET Act and also ensure you work closely with relevant regulatory bodies,” he said.
James Nyoro from Cascade Institute of Hospitality reiterated that the institution is currently focused on implementing partnerships, linkages and global relationships for shared prosperity.
He noted that they have already partnered with 80 hospitality institutions across the country where students are placed for internships and jobs.
Nyoro hailed the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President William Ruto for its efforts in seeking job opportunities abroad for the Kenyan youths saying that the exportation of skilled labour will help boost technical training in the country.
Former Thika MP Eng Patrick Wainaina Wajungle called on the government to create an enabling environment for investors and industries the to create more employment opportunities and help grow the country’s economy.
Wainaina urged President Ruto to consider enacting the Safeguard (Amendment) Bill which he tabled in Parliament during his term.
The Bill seeks to ban cheap imports or impose hefty duties on them.
This will give a lifeline and protect local manufacturers which were at the verge of closing down due to the influx of imported goods in the Kenyan market.
Graduates led by Elvis Kabue and Lillian Muthoni called on their peers to stop the over-reliance on white-collar jobs and instead pursue technical courses with an assurance of securing a job or initiating their own income generating ventures.