ELDORET, Kenya – The government is taking steps to recognize the skills of over 15 million artisans across the country through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, which is mainly being implemented through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
The initiative aims to issue formal certificates to skilled workers who have gained expertise through experience but lack official qualifications, enabling them to access better job opportunities and contracts.
The RPL director, Stanley Maindi, highlighted that while Kenya boasts a large pool of skilled workers, particularly in the informal sector, many artisans remain uncertified, limiting their ability to advance their careers.
“This is a trending initiative because we have a huge population of youth who are skilled and doing good work in the Jua Kali sector, and we need to assess them and issue certificates to recognize their skills,” Maindi explained.
To date, over 5,100 artisans have been assessed and certified through TVET colleges, with another 700,000 set to be certified by the end of the year.
The program has generated considerable interest, particularly among young people seeking formal recognition for their skills.
“It’s essential that artisans, especially those in the informal sector, are empowered with certifications that are just as valuable as those from formal institutions,” Maindi added.
The RPL initiative is a critical part of the government’s bottom-up economic program, which aims to uplift individuals in lower sectors of the economy.
This program not only enhances the recognition of skilled artisans but also contributes to their economic empowerment.
The Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP) has been designated as one of the key RPL certification centers.
The college’s chief principal, Dr. Charles Koech, emphasised the institution’s commitment to supporting the initiative.
“We are happy with the support we have always received from the government, and we are committed to ensuring that the RPL initiative reaches as many youth as possible,” Dr. Koech said during a training session for RPL trainers from 20 TVET colleges in the region.
Maindi shared that the government is retraining over 7,000 TVET tutors to better assess artisans in various sectors.
These institutions will serve as walk-in assessment centers, where artisans can be evaluated and certified on-site.
The Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali is also collaborating with the government to identify artisans and guide them to the nearest TVET centers for certification.
As the program expands across the country, Maindi reassured artisans that their certifications would hold the same value as those obtained from formal TVET institutions, providing a significant boost to their career prospects.
The government’s dedication to this initiative is not only expected to recognize the skills of informal sector workers but also to enhance their contributions to the nation’s economy.
“The artisans in our country play a critical role in economic growth,” Maindi concluded. “We are committed to ensuring that their skills are recognized and that they are provided with the tools to succeed.”
