The Government in collaboration with stakeholders is aggressively involved in implementing transformative reforms to revitalise the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in order to make it responsive to the emerging demands in the labour market.
State Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary Esther Muoria said these reforms, as contained in the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, emphasises the periodic review of the TVET curriculum to ensure relevance to the evolving needs of the job market.
The PS said the ongoing reforms are not merely policy actions but are the foundation for a brighter future for our TVET sector and our nation as a whole, adding that by embracing these reforms, we instill dynamism, relevance, and inclusivity in the TVET subsector thus creating a skilled and versatile workforce ready to tackle the ever-changing technological present and future challenges.
Dr. Muoria was speaking in Naivasha on Wednesday during a workshop to sensitize the officials of 13 newly established national polytechnics in the country on The Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF) for new National Polytechnics.
The workshop also provides a valuable opportunity for the newly established polytechnics to collaborate, exchange ideas, and collectively strategise on various issues including; curriculum development, training, assessment, and certification in alignment with the National Qualifications Framework. All this is in a bid to enhance skills and competencies to meet industry requirements, ultimately enhancing the employability of our youth.
“The importance of robust linkages between TVET institutions and the industry cannot be overemphasized as it is a cornerstone to these reforms, fostering a responsive and effective education and training system, which will benefit both the individual trainee and the broader economy,” Dr. Muoria observed.
She stated that the shared goal between the Government and the stakeholders is to shape the path towards creating opportunities for our youth and to give them a chance to contribute to the growth and development of our nation and the world.
To this end, the PS noted that the reforms being implemented are in line with the latest skills needs survey report released by the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) which underscores a significant demand for TVET skills within the workforce.
The survey revealed that the top TVET skills sought by employers include transport and logistics at 21.3 percent, electrical expertise at 21.1 percent, and competencies in building and construction at 18.2 percent.
Remarkably to the survey, the most demanded engineering skills identified by enterprises include computer and software engineering at 30.7 percent, followed closely by electrical and electronics engineering at 27.4 percent and mechanical and production engineering at 25 percent.
Dr. Muoria stated that the Ministry of Education is diligently implemented these reforms, including the recruitment and retooling of trainers and a shift from theory–based to practical-based training, popularly known as Competency Based Education Training (CBET) programs.
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alice Kande on her part said her organisation had made remarkable progress in harmonizing and coordinating National Qualifications in the Country and urged all TVET institutions to embrace the process of registration of their National Qualifications in the Kenya National Qualifications Framework as required by law.
“We are committed to building your capacity in curriculum development, implementation of Competence-Based Education and Training, and the intricacies of assessment and certification in accordance with KNQF requirements,” Dr Kande told the participants.
It’s worth noting that the KNQA plays an important role in coordinating and harmonizing education, training, assessment, and quality assurance of all qualifications awarded in the country, with the goal of improving quality and international comparability and realise lifelong learning.
The process involves the development of the Occupational Standards (OS) by the industry, describing specific job requirements. The OS then serves as a benchmark to assess and measure the performance and qualifications of individuals in specific professions or industries.
Consequently, Kande said regulators play a pivotal role in setting standards, ensuring training aligns with industry needs, and adapting to the evolving demands of the job market. She said key among the components of the Framework is accreditation and registration of Qualifications Awarding Institutions (QAI’s) and their respective qualifications.
The KNQA Acting CEO explained that the harmonious relationship between the National Qualification Framework and Competence-Based Education and Training is apparent in their shared objective of enhancing the quality and relevance of qualifications.
Dr. Kande further emphasised that curriculum development is a nuanced and multifaceted process that requires coordination, collaboration, and cooperation among various stakeholders in order to ensure the development of competitive qualifications that are intricately linked to industry needs through a comprehensive needs assessment analysis that is informed by Labour Market Information.
Qualifications Awarding Institutions with the legal mandate, such as polytechnics were advised to utilize these Occupational Standards to formulate curricula for specific qualifications, developing training and learning materials along with assessment tools.
Dr Kande noted that the resulting documents are then taken through rigorous stakeholder engagement and validation, involving multiple entities such as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Regulatory Bodies, Training Institutions, Employers, Associations/Unions, NGOs among others. Hence the need for collaboration among all stakeholders in order to create globally competitive, quality, and relevant qualifications that contribute to socio-economic development.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku
