NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 — The State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has scaled up efforts towards strengthening industry engagement in skills training with the establishment of an Industrial and Dual Training Liaison Office.
This development was announced by Dr Esther Thaara Muoria, the Principal Secretary of the State Department of TVET, during the launch of a new TVET initiative supported by the governments of Finland and Germany.
The new initiative dubbed ‘Promotion of Youth Employment and Vocational Training’ will support State Department for TVET, in institutionalizing Dual TVET across Kenya. This will include establishing the necessary structures, policies, and resources to support the implementation of this training model on a larger scale.
Dual TVET is a competence based model of vocational training that combines learning at a TVET institution with industrial experience and mentorship offered through in-company training.
The newly established Industrial and Dual Training Liaison Office will play a crucial role in facilitating effective collaboration between the TVET sector and industries.
The Liaison Office aims to bridge the gap between education and industry by coordinating and monitoring dual training programs and fostering partnerships with various industries. This initiative seeks to enhance the skills development of TVET graduates and ensure the quality and relevance of their training, ultimately increasing their employability and addressing the skills gap in the job market.
Through the support of the governments of Finland and Germany, the Liaison office will play a critical role in coordinating and monitoring the dual training programmes.in collaboration with the governments of Finland and Germany, has announced a ground-breaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing the TVET sector in Kenya.
The joint effort marks a significant milestone in our continuous efforts to provide high-quality training that equips trainees with the skills needed for gainful employment and success in the industry.
Speaking at the launch, the Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, lauded the new partnership, adding that it will be invaluable in ensuring that training in our TVET institutions meet international standards.
“This initiative is a significant milestone in the development of the TVET sector in Kenya. It is aligned with our vision of providing high-quality training that prepares trainees for decent work and ready to take up employment opportunities in the industry,” said PS Muoria.
This programme is a scale-up from a successful pilot phase implemented from 2019 to 2022. Through, joint financing from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), the project will leverage the strengths of Finnish and German TVET systems for the benefit of Kenya.
The program will be implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Finnish and German governments, in close collaboration with the State Department of TVET.
The governments of Finland and Germany will invest 15 million Euro (2.2 billion shillings) in equipping 6,000 Kenyan youth with essential skills for enhanced employability and contribution to the country’s economic growth.
The initiative will facilitate the expansion from 7 to 60 institutions that implement dual TVET, engaging a minimum of 800 companies. Furthermore, it will serve as an anchor for the Dual TVET framework in Kenya through the establishment of robust policies and standards.
It also aims to strengthen the capacity development of TVET personnel and introduce digitalized delivery of hybrid learning for selected Dual TVET occupations.
By combining these efforts, the program aims to foster a skilled workforce and create a sustainable pathway for career development in Kenya.
Speaking at the launch, Finnish Ambassador to Kenya Pirkka Tapiola highlighted Finland’s commitment to addressing labour market needs and promoting equal opportunities and economic growth.
“Finland together with our partners will contribute to the strong forward momentum in the TVET sector in Kenya to ensure that the creativity of young people is harnessed for economic prosperity and more resilient livelihoods. This project will encourage more young women to enrol in technical, traditionally male-oriented vocations and increase access to TVET for persons with disability,” he said.
Thomas Wimmer, Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, emphasized the significance of institutional collaboration with the private sector in equipping the youth with skills.
“Through this project, we are bolstering the workforce and cultivating a critical number of skilled young Kenyans which also advances the objectives of Kenya’s Vision 2030,” he noted.
“Through our joint support with Finland, we will support the government of Kenya to make vocational education and training more accessible to a wider range of students, including those form the low-income backgrounds.”
