Kiambu National Polytechnic (KINAP) has today held its annual open day, providing a platform for students from various institutions to display their skills and projects creativity and innovation.
The two-day open day brought together public and private sector players who will benchmark on how to remodel technical training to meet the labour demands of technological innovation and flexibility.
It showcased a diverse range of talents, spanning art mechatronic department, the Mechanical automotive department, ICT and computer studies, the Hospitality department and the building civil engineering department.
Gracing the occasion today, State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary Dr Esther Thaara said that in the recent past there has been a skills gap of youth leading to shortage of human resource to service and produce in local industries.
“This event comes at a time when the State Department for TVET has been at the front run to address issues of youth unemployment and need to have the right skills for the industry and labour market locally, regionally and internationally,” she said.
Dr Thaara explained that the Ministry of Education has revamped the education system in the direction that all levels focus on a competency-based curriculum which seeks to address the skills gap of this country.
More concern, she noted has been laid to the TVET institutions on having a training in skills that will address the socio-economic empowerment of this country.
Competency-based education and training, she emphasised is the best approach in TVETS in ensuring trainees are equipped with proper skills for the labour market.
The PS confirmed that the State Department has created a good collaboration in linking with industries and partnering with other countries that have empowered the TVET sector and this has created strong partnerships with industries therefore ensuring that the skills trainees in TVET acquire are precisely what employers are seeking.
“It has been proven that by collaborating closely with industries, has bridged the gap between training and employment, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.
She reiterated that rapid change in technology and the industrial revolution require us to retool, rescale, and re-modify our training to be able to meet the demand of the required skills in the industry.
Dr Thaara noted that there’s need for government to have policies on importation of goods and services that can be made and offered by the youth in an effort to empower the skilled manpower being produced in the TVET sector.
“These regulations will encourage manufacturers to produce for the country’s economy using our very own TVET graduates. That Kenyans will buy products made in Kenya by Kenya increasing productivity in our industries,” she added.
The PS appealed to industry partners to open their doors to collaboration with TVET institutions saying that their active involvement in shaping the training programmes, offering internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship opportunities can make a profound impact on the future of the country’s industrialization agenda.
Edward Mwangi, a Lecturer in the hospitality sector from KINAP said the exhibition ensures that the community see the different skills that the students have acquired from their courses while high school students who also participate learn a lot on the different paths they can pick as they choose their future careers.
In attendance were different polytechnics and TVET institutions such as the Nyandarua National Polytechnic, Buru Buru Institute of Fine Arts, Mitungu Technical Training Institute, Rift Valley National Polytechnic and Moraga Technical Training Institute as well as students from Githunguri High School.
By Josphine Libala
