Kaiboi National Polytechnic Chief Principal Abdi Tiony Kirwa has challenged young people to embrace lifelong learning and take advantage of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) opportunities to formalise their skills, acquire recognised qualifications and improve their employment prospects.

Kirwa made the remarks while serving as a guest at a Youth Fellowship Graduation Ceremony sponsored by the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) in partnership with the Nandi County Government.

The ceremony brought together youth, leaders and other stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of graduands while highlighting the importance of education, personal development, mentorship and skills acquisition in empowering young people.

In his address, Kirwa encouraged the graduands not to view graduation as the end of their learning journey but rather as the beginning of another phase of personal and professional growth.

He emphasised that continuous learning remains essential in a rapidly changing world where employers and industries increasingly demand practical competencies, innovation, adaptability and specialised skills.

The Chief Principal challenged the youth to identify their talents, invest in developing their abilities and seek opportunities that would enable them to become productive members of society.

He particularly urged individuals who have acquired practical skills through work experience, informal training, apprenticeships and other non-formal learning pathways to take advantage of Recognition of Prior Learning opportunities offered at Kaiboi National Polytechnic.

Kirwa explained that RPL provides an important pathway for people with existing competencies to have their knowledge and skills assessed, validated and formally recognised without necessarily having to begin their training journey from scratch.

Through the programme, individuals who have gained experience in different trades and professions can undergo assessment to establish their competence and, where they meet the required standards, obtain recognised qualifications.

He noted that formal recognition of skills can open doors to better employment opportunities, career advancement, entrepreneurship and further education.

The Chief Principal also encouraged young people who possess technical abilities but lack formal certification to consider RPL as an opportunity to bridge the gap between practical experience and recognised professional qualifications.

His message underscored the growing importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in equipping young people with relevant skills while providing alternative pathways for individuals who may have acquired competencies outside the conventional education system.

Kaiboi National Polytechnic continues to position itself as an institution committed to skills development, competency-based training and the recognition of practical abilities acquired through different learning experiences.

The institution's emphasis on Recognition of Prior Learning reflects the broader national agenda of promoting skills-based education, expanding access to qualifications and ensuring that individuals are not disadvantaged because they acquired their competencies through informal or non-traditional learning pathways.

For many young people, the challenge of securing employment is not always a lack of skills but the absence of formal documentation to demonstrate their abilities. RPL provides an opportunity to address this gap by connecting practical experience with recognised certification.

Kirwa's participation in the graduation ceremony also highlighted the importance of partnerships between educational institutions, government agencies and youth-focused organisations in creating opportunities for young people to develop their potential.

The collaboration between the International Youth Fellowship and the Nandi County Government demonstrates the role of partnerships in supporting youth development, mentorship and community empowerment.

The Chief Principal encouraged the graduands to remain disciplined, hardworking and determined as they pursue their ambitions, reminding them that success requires a commitment to continuous improvement and the willingness to acquire new knowledge.

 

He further called on young people to make use of available training and certification opportunities rather than allowing their talents and practical abilities to remain unrecognised.

Kaiboi National Polytechnic maintains that education should not be limited to the traditional classroom environment, noting that individuals can continue learning and developing their competencies at different stages of life.

The institution's guiding philosophy is anchored on the belief that every skill counts, every talent matters and learning never stops.

Through its training programmes and Recognition of Prior Learning opportunities, Kaiboi seeks to help individuals transform their abilities into recognised qualifications and turn opportunities into meaningful personal and professional success.

Kirwa's message to the graduands was clear: graduation should mark the beginning of greater ambitions, continuous learning and a determination to turn acquired skills into opportunities that contribute to individual growth and national development.

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