By Monica Nashon
The State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has partnered with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to expand youth skills training.
The initiative targets thousands of young people including Kisii and Nyamira counties, and forms part of a nationwide effort to address unemployment through technical and vocational education.
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Speaking during the launch of the initiative, TVET Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria said the programme is aligned with the government’s ambitious agenda of expanding technical training opportunities for young Kenyans and equipping them with market-ready skills.
According to Dr. Muoria, the initiative will target youths who are out of school, unemployed, or underemployed, with local administrators playing a key role in identifying beneficiaries at the grassroots level.
“We are working closely with chiefs, assistant chiefs and other local leaders to identify young people who are neither in school nor working. Every young person has talent and potential, and our institutions will help nurture and develop those abilities into productive skills,” she said.
The trainees will be enrolled in TVET institutions where they will acquire hands-on skills in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, welding, electrical installation, masonry, fashion and design, agribusiness and other technical trades that are in high demand in the local and international labor markets.
Dr. Muoria noted that the government is increasingly shifting focus towards competency-based training to ensure graduates leave institutions with practical skills that can lead directly to employment, self-employment or entrepreneurship.
The Ministry of Education has been pushing to increase TVET enrollment significantly as part of efforts to bridge the country’s skills gap and create opportunities for millions of young people.
Recruiters and industry partners will also be involved in the program to guide trainees on available job opportunities and emerging market demands.
“This project is about giving hope to our youth. It is about preparing them for the workforce, supporting industries with skilled manpower and contributing to national development,” Dr. Muoria said.
She added that the collaboration between TVET institutions and NGAO will ensure no eligible youth is left behind, particularly those in rural areas who often miss out on training and employment opportunities.
“This is a national effort and we will roll it out across the country. Our goal is to ensure that every young Kenyan who wishes to acquire a skill has access to quality training and a pathway to a better future,” she said.
The initiative comes at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to expand technical and vocational training as a key strategy for addressing youth unemployment, boosting productivity and driving industrial growth.
