The Ministry of Education has posted 2,000 newly employed trainers to Technical, Vocational Education Training Institutions (TVETs) to help address the trainer- student ratio and ensure quality training that meets market demand.
The trainers who have been deployed to 242 institutions in the country bring the total number of trainers to 9,351 against a student population of 420,559 which is expected to increase to over 700,000 in coming years.
According to the Ministry’s CS Julius Ogamba, the government is on course to employ an extra 6,000 trainers to address the existing deficit as well as drive quality training that invoke innovativeness and creativity among learners.
Ogamba said the ministry is working with the National Treasury to start disbursement of Sh3.3 billion in capitation and scholarship grants and loans for trainees to ensure seamless and continuous learning in all TVETS institutions.
Speaking in Naivasha during the ongoing 54th Annual International Conference of Technical Universities and Polytechnics, the CS said the new trainers will boost and drive the implementation of the Competency Based Education and Dual Training.
“The addition of 2,000 trainers will help ensure TVETs institutions produce graduates that possess high employable cutting-edge skills that meet local and global quality standards,” said Ogamba.
Consequently, the CS said the ministry is developing the Continuous Professional Development policy that will facilitate the continuous retooling of trainers to enable them keep pace and adapt to the evolving technology landscape.
With the rising number of student population in TVETs institutions, Ogamba said the government is reviewing the curriculum to align with the market skills demand and is set to introduce new training that will address skills gaps such as marine and firefighting courses.
On her part, Principal Secretary in charge of TVETs Dr Esther Muoria said there is a need to leverage technology and adopt innovative training methodologies that will address existing skills gaps and competencies and unlock job opportunities.
The PS said TVETs institutions are now focusing on training with the end in mind by partnering with industry players that offer hands-on experience and by integrating cutting edge technologies and equipment in training.
In addition, she added that trainers have been tasked with responsibility to nurture critical thinking and problem-solving skills in order to prepare trainees for the dynamic and competitive global job market.
“TVETs training if well aligned will unlock opportunities that will address the local and continent challenges of rising youth unemployment, demand for skilled workforce and pressing needs for economic diversification,” said the PS.
Dr Muoria said that Kenya is among 23 African countries implementing the Africa Continental Qualifications Framework that aims to harmonise education, develop common standards and quality frameworks.
In addition, the PS said the framework also seeks to facilitate mobility and transparency of skills and qualifications in support of African Union Agenda 2063 noting that innovativeness in TVETs institutions will harness the continent’s youth potential.
The PS called for sustainable financing models that involve both public and private sectors in order to drive investments in TVET institutions for them to provide cutting edge and competitive training to learners.
With the country celebrating 100 years of TVET in the country, the PS said the government has rolled out implementation of the Prior Learning policy that seeks to assess and certify non-formal skilled personnel.
To this end, Dr Muoria said more than 700 graduates have successfully been certified after review of their technical skills and knowhow assessment at the national technical institutions in the country.
By Erastus Gichohi
