NAKURU, Kenya — The Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI) has urged Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to modernise their training programmes and strengthen partnerships with industry to equip graduates with skills demanded by the rapidly changing labour market.
KITI Director Engineer Wabwile Simiyu said technological advancement is reshaping industries across manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and building management, making it imperative for TVET institutions to align their curricula with emerging technologies.
Speaking during a public engagement at KITI’s main campus in Nakuru, Simiyu said employers are increasingly seeking workers with competencies in artificial intelligence, automation, big data and collaborative digital technologies.
“Digitisation is rapidly changing the skill sets needed in diverse fields because employers are searching for human resources with proficiencies in artificial intelligence, automation, big data and collaborative technologies. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is evolving the physical learning environment, and we urgently need to accommodate and encourage the uptake of digital skills,” he said.
He noted that advances in science and technology also present opportunities to green the TVET education ecosystem through digital innovation and sustainable training models that support the creation of green jobs.
Industry partnerships key to employability
Simiyu challenged TVET institutions to forge stronger collaborations with manufacturers and service industries to narrow the gap between classroom training and workplace requirements.
He said involving industry players in curriculum development would ensure graduates acquire practical skills that match current market demands.
“At KITI, we are committed to ensuring that training offered to our students is strengthened so that what is coming out is what is required in the industry. The common denominator of industrial economies is that they have invested heavily in education systems that strongly emphasise technical skills,” he said.
The director also encouraged instructors to embrace emerging technologies in their teaching methods to prepare learners for opportunities presented by the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions.
He added that trainers should spend more time in industry to gain practical experience that can be transferred to students.
Competency-based training
Simiyu pointed to the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) model, which requires trainees to spend at least 25 per cent of their time in classrooms and 75 per cent undertaking hands-on practical training.
He said the approach is critical in producing graduates with industry-ready skills.
According to the director, UNESCO has identified stronger collaboration between TVET institutions, governments and the private sector as a key driver in building a skilled industrial workforce.
TVET reforms boosting enrolment
Simiyu said Kenya has made significant progress in strengthening technical education since the enactment of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act in 2013.
He noted that increased government funding, improved regulation and public awareness campaigns have seen TVET enrolment nearly triple over the past decade.
The reforms led to the establishment of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and the Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC), institutions responsible for regulating training programmes and ensuring they meet industry standards.
According to Simiyu, these reforms have resulted in the development of more market-driven courses aimed at improving graduates’ employability.
Recognition of informal skills
The KITI director also welcomed the recognition of skills acquired through informal training under the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA).
He said artisans such as mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, sculptors and tailors can now obtain nationally recognised certificates after demonstrating practical competence through assessments conducted by authorised institutions.
Under the system, certifications are issued by bodies including the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB) and CDACC based on practical performance rather than written examinations.
Simiyu said the framework provides skilled workers who never attended formal TVET institutions with an opportunity to gain recognised qualifications and improve their employment prospects.
He also called for TVET institutions to integrate soft skills such as communication, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, relationship management and time management into their programmes, arguing that employers increasingly value both technical competence and workplace readiness.