7 Eldoret National Polytechnic Graduates Secure German Jobs as TENP Expands Global Labour Mobility Partnership

By Wasike Elvis 

Seven graduates from The Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP) have secured employment contracts in Germany following a successful recruitment exercise under the Kenya-Germany labour mobility partnership, marking a major breakthrough for the institution's efforts to connect Kenyan youth with international career opportunities.

The seven graduates are expected to launch their careers in Germany's hotel and hospitality industry after successfully going through a competitive assessment and selection process involving visiting German employers.

TENP Chief Principal Dr Charles Koech announced the achievement, describing it as a significant milestone that demonstrates the growing opportunities available to Kenyan graduates through technical and vocational education and international partnerships.

The breakthrough followed the Talent Gateway Kenya-Germany Labour Mobility Forum held at Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi between November 9 and 13, 2026.

According to Dr Koech, TENP had earlier hosted pre-assessment interviews involving 47 young people, who were evaluated as part of the recruitment process. Out of the 47 candidates, 15 outstanding applicants were shortlisted to proceed to the next stage, where they met visiting German employers.

Following the interviews and selection process, seven TENP graduates emerged successful and signed employment contracts, paving the way for them to begin working in Germany.

The achievement highlights the importance of equipping young people with practical skills that respond to labour market demands both locally and internationally.

During the five-day forum, TENP was represented by its LIP/TLC Coordinator David Chepkangor, German Language Trainer Junnien Ketter and three other dedicated institutional officers who played a key role in facilitating the assessment and selection process.

Dr Koech further revealed that the institution has been identified as a strategic partner for an expanded engagement beginning January 2027, opening an even bigger opportunity for TENP trainees and graduates to access international employment opportunities.

Under the expanded collaboration involving the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and German vocational institutions, TENP will institutionalise German language training for its trainees.

The institution will also transition into a major hub for pre-departure preparation, ensuring that young Kenyans seeking employment in Germany receive the necessary language skills and preparation before travelling.

Importantly, the partnership will extend beyond the hospitality industry, creating additional international career opportunities for graduates in landscaping, brick and block laying, and plumbing.

The expansion is expected to benefit trainees undertaking various technical courses at TENP by providing them with pathways to access employment opportunities in Germany and other international labour markets.

Dr Koech noted that the collaboration would deliver significant institutional benefits by strengthening the polytechnic's training capacity through international benchmarking and exposure to modern vocational training practices.

Among the key areas of collaboration will be learning from German vocational institutions, including their training equipment setups, practical instruction methods and approaches to preparing graduates for industry requirements.

The partnership will also support efforts to align TENP's Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curricula with international industry standards, ensuring that graduates acquire relevant technical competencies that match the expectations of employers.

By integrating German language instruction with technical training, TENP seeks to give its graduates a competitive advantage when pursuing employment opportunities in Germany.

The development comes at a time when technical and vocational education institutions are increasingly being recognised as important drivers of youth employment, innovation and economic development.

For TENP, the successful placement of seven graduates represents more than an employment achievement; it signals the potential of international partnerships in transforming vocational training into a gateway for global career opportunities.

With the expanded partnership expected to take effect in January 2027, the institution is positioning itself as an important link between Kenya's skilled workforce and Germany's demand for qualified personnel in various sectors.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen the reputation of Kenyan TVET institutions in the international labour market by demonstrating the ability of local graduates to compete for employment opportunities beyond the country's borders.

Through the Kenya-Germany partnership, TENP continues to advance its commitment to producing skilled, competent and globally competitive graduates while creating new opportunities for young people to secure dignified employment.