By Kiprop Brian
Education stakeholders across Kenya are calling on the government to significantly boost funding for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, underscoring their vital role in equipping young people with practical skills and reducing unemployment.
During recent forums and stakeholder engagements, education advocates, students, and policy experts emphasized that TVET institutions hold the key to transforming Kenya’s workforce and accelerating economic growth. However, they warned that many of these institutions remain under-resourced, hindering their capacity to meet rising demand and match the pace of a rapidly evolving job market.
“TVETs are the future of our workforce,” said one stakeholder. “But many of these institutions are operating without basic learning equipment. Some students lack access to essential training tools. Without proper investment, we are shortchanging our young people.”
Stakeholders are pushing for targeted investment in key areas such as modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art equipment, digital training resources, and professional development for trainers. They argue that bolstering these aspects would enable TVETs to produce industry-ready graduates, aligned with the demands of a dynamic and competitive labor market.
Additionally, there were strong calls for the government to deepen partnerships between TVETs and the private sector. Such collaborations, they noted, would ensure that curriculum design and training programs reflect the current needs of employers, while also creating apprenticeship and internship opportunities for students.
The push for enhanced investment comes just days after President William Ruto, in his Madaraka Day address, highlighted the importance of expanding technical education. He announced plans to increase TVET enrollment from 500,000 to 2 million students this year as part of a broader agenda to promote skills development, innovation, and industrialization among the youth.
“As we prepare for the next budget cycle, education must remain a top priority — particularly technical education,” said a policy advocate. “Kenya’s future depends on a skilled, innovative, and empowered workforce.”
The national budget is expected to be unveiled later this month, with education stakeholders closely watching to see if the government will act on its promises to strengthen TVETs — institutions many believe are key to unlocking Kenya’s economic potential.
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.