The Government has intensified efforts to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions into centres of innovation, production and enterprise as part of a broader strategy to create jobs, accelerate industrialisation and equip Kenyan youth with globally competitive skills.
This commitment was reiterated during the official opening of the Fourth International Research Conference, Skills Competition, Innovation, Career Guidance and Expo at Kabete National Polytechnic, where Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi Ogamba delivered a keynote address on behalf of Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
The conference, themed “Transforming TVET in Kenya for Market-Ready Skills, Employability and Sustainable Development,” brought together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, development partners, trainers and students to discuss the future of technical education and innovation in Kenya.
In his address, the Deputy President emphasized that the world’s most successful economies are increasingly being defined by the skills, creativity and productivity of their people rather than the natural resources they possess.
He noted that Kenya has deliberately positioned itself to become a source of skilled labour, innovation and practical solutions capable of driving economic transformation both locally and internationally.
Prof. Kindiki observed that technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, automation and robotics continue to disrupt traditional employment patterns, making it necessary for training institutions to adapt and prepare learners for emerging opportunities in modern industries.
At the same time, he highlighted the growing potential within green industries, renewable energy, climate action initiatives, e-mobility and the blue economy, sectors that are expected to generate millions of jobs globally in the coming years.
The Deputy President said the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is creating opportunities for young people through investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and environmentally sustainable development programmes.
He stressed that Kenyan youth possess the potential to compete effectively for technical and engineering jobs across the world if equipped with relevant skills and competencies.
Prof. Kindiki cited significant progress made in reforming the TVET sector, including the implementation of the Dual Training Model, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), digitisation of skills mapping and investments in modern training facilities.
He revealed that enrolment in TVET institutions has risen dramatically from approximately 341,000 trainees to over 718,000 within the last three years, with the Government targeting two million enrolments in the near future.
The Government has also expanded access to technical education through the establishment of vocational training centres and technical institutions in constituencies across the country while increasing education funding from about KSh544 billion to more than KSh702 billion.
Principal Secretary for TVET Dr. Esther Muoria challenged participants to ensure research findings and innovations generated during the conference translate into practical solutions that improve lives and strengthen industries.
She cautioned against allowing innovative ideas to remain confined to reports and conference proceedings without implementation.
“The true value of research lies in the impact it creates. Conferences should be measured by the changes they inspire rather than the number of presentations delivered,” she said.
Dr. Muoria further announced that the State Department for TVET would work closely with stakeholders to develop a framework for implementing key recommendations emerging from the conference.
She also revealed plans to establish productive industries within TVET institutions across the country, enabling trainees to gain hands-on industrial experience while supporting enterprise development and innovation.
According to the PS, every institution is expected to develop specialized industrial ventures aligned with its strengths, creating opportunities for production, commercialization of innovations and student exchange programmes.
Kabete National Polytechnic Principal Patrick Muchemi welcomed delegates and highlighted the institution’s rich heritage as one of Kenya’s oldest and most influential technical training institutions.
Having celebrated its centenary last year, the institution continues to play a leading role in producing skilled professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders who contribute significantly to Kenya’s socio-economic development.
Muchemi described the conference as an important platform for sharing knowledge, promoting innovation and developing practical solutions capable of addressing contemporary challenges facing society and industry.
Chairman of the Kabete National Polytechnic Governing Council, Benjamin Njenga, lauded the institution for continuously positioning itself as a leader in technical training, research and innovation.
Njenga emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between TVET institutions, industry players and development partners to ensure that innovations developed by students and researchers are transformed into commercially viable products and enterprises.
He noted that the future success of TVET institutions will depend on their ability to move beyond traditional classroom instruction and become centres of production, entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
According to the chairman, institutions such as Kabete National Polytechnic have a critical role to play in supporting Kenya’s industrialisation agenda by producing graduates who are not only job seekers but also job creators.
He further commended the Government’s ongoing investment in the TVET sector, saying the reforms are creating opportunities for young people to acquire practical skills that respond directly to labour market demands.
Njenga expressed confidence that the conference would generate actionable recommendations capable of strengthening research, innovation and industry linkages while enhancing the employability of graduates.
Participants at the conference are expected to deliberate on strategies for promoting market-driven skills development, green technologies, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and stronger industry partnerships.
The discussions are also expected to generate solutions aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Kenyan graduates in local and international labour markets.
As the conference continues, stakeholders have been challenged to ensure that research outcomes, innovations and policy discussions are translated into tangible programmes capable of creating jobs, supporting enterprise development and driving sustainable economic growth.
