NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has rolled out a new textile and apparel training programme in select Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, in a move to modernise skills development and align local training with global standards in the fashion and garment industry.
The initiative, unveiled at the Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf, is a partnership between the State Department for TVET and Sainath Education Institute.
It aims to bridge the gap between outdated training models and the evolving demands of the international apparel sector.
Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary for the State Department for TVET, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, stressed the need to equip learners with specialised, future-facing skills that match the dynamics of a globalised industry.
“Kenya cannot afford to train for a bygone era,” she said. “This partnership is both timely and transformative, as it brings our training institutions closer to modern production realities.”
The programme will focus on areas critical to global apparel manufacturing, including digital fashion design, industrial sewing, production engineering, merchandising, supply chain logistics, and adherence to international export standards.
Dual Training, Global Access
Sainath Education Institute, the government’s partner in the programme, operates within the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and is known for integrating modern technology and proprietary training approaches that mirror international best practices.
As part of the deal, the institute will deliver Kenya’s Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum through a dual training model — blending classroom theory with structured, workplace-based learning.
The programme supports the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030, both of which place a strong focus on employment creation, small enterprise development, and building an industry-ready workforce.
Centres of Excellence in Apparel Training
The rollout is being piloted at three TVET institutions — Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf, Kibra TVC, and Maasai National Polytechnic — which are being developed into centres of excellence in fashion and design.
The model is expected to be replicated across other institutions in the coming phases.
The government hopes that by aligning Kenya’s vocational training with industry realities, the country can unlock more opportunities in apparel manufacturing, boost job creation, and strengthen its positioning in the competitive global textile market.
