The government has intensified efforts to achieve its ambitious target of enrolling two million students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions by December this year, with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) being tasked to spearhead grassroots mobilisation across the country.
Speaking during a TVET enrolment sensitisation forum for the administrators from Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu Counties at Meru National Polytechnic, Principal Secretary for TVET Dr Esther Thaara Muoria said the government had put in place the necessary infrastructure, funding mechanisms and training capacity to accommodate the targeted number of learners.
Dr Muoria said the President had already announced a new funding model that would enable students to access financial support for their studies and repay the loans once they secure employment.
“We have to be deliberate in this mobilisation. The government has created the space, developed curricula, employed over 5,500 trainers and re-skilled many of them on Competency-Based Education and Training. What we need now is to get the students into our institutions and ensure they remain there,” she said.
The PS noted that TVET enrolment had grown significantly from about 250,000 students when the current administration took office, adding that the government was determined to hit the two-million mark by the end of the year.
She challenged chiefs, assistant chiefs and village elders to work closely with TVET institutions in identifying and mobilising eligible youth within their jurisdictions.
“We want to demonstrate that the two million learners will be in our institutions by December. NGAO officers should help us identify and bring students to TVETs while the government takes responsibility for funding and retention,” she said.
State Department for Devolution Principal Secretary Michael Lenasalon said TVET education was a golden opportunity for Kenya’s industrial transformation and urged county governments to support enrolment drives.
He said chiefs and assistant chiefs were key agents in creating awareness on the value of technical skills and their role in wealth creation and job opportunities.
“We can unlock the potential of our youth and secure our future through skills training. TVETs provide a practical solution to unemployment and economic empowerment,” said Lenasalon.
Meru County Commissioner George Omolo pledged the support of NGAO officers in achieving the enrolment target, noting that youth unemployment remained a major concern.
“If every one of our chiefs and assistant chiefs mobilises just a few young people to join TVET institutions, we will surpass the target. This initiative offers real opportunities to our youth and will help keep them away from drugs and other social vices,” said Omolo.
Principal Secretary for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi said skills development was critical in creating industries and generating employment opportunities for young people.
“The country needs skilled manpower in every sector. Affordable housing alone has created more than 600,000 jobs through skills acquired in TVET institutions. We need to normalise conversations about government development programmes and encourage more youth to enrol,” he said.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) Chief Executive Officer Dr Alice Kande said the authority was working to ensure that all qualifications acquired through TVET institutions remained credible, recognised and capable of supporting career progression.
She highlighted Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as a transformative programme that enables individuals to have their existing skills formally recognised and certified.
“Every skill matters. We want to ensure qualifications are visible, meaningful and authentic while protecting learners from unaccredited institutions,” she said.
Representing the Office of the Deputy President, Gideon Kimathi urged NGAO officers to familiarise themselves with programmes offered by nearby TVET institutions so that they could effectively guide prospective learners.
“This country is a construction site and requires skilled workers in every field. We must ensure young people access training opportunities available in our institutions,” he said.
The forum also showcased success stories from TVET institutions, including value-addition initiatives in agriculture, livestock production, animal feeds manufacturing, edible oil extraction and renewable energy projects, demonstrating the potential of technical training in creating jobs and supporting industrial growth.
Stakeholders agreed that sustained mobilisation, adequate funding and community sensitisation would be crucial in helping the country achieve the two-million TVET enrolment target and accelerate Kenya’s journey towards industrialisation.
