More than 8,000 students who sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams last year have chosen to pursue courses in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and other colleges.
This is according to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
Ogamba stated that the number is expected to rise as the Ministry of Education continues to process applications under the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
He noted that TVET programs are increasingly being embraced by high school graduates, unlike in previous years.
“I must point out that TVET holds the key to unlocking Kenya’s economic potential by equipping the youth with hands-on, job-ready skills that meet the demands of the 21st-century job market,” he said.
Ogamba further noted that as the country continues to industrialize and digitize, the demand for a highly skilled and adaptable workforce has never been greater.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that sectors such as manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and ICT are in urgent need of skilled technicians, artisans, and service providers.
He highlighted that with over 200 public and numerous private TVET institutions in Kenya, the government has made significant strides in promoting vocational training as a viable alternative to traditional academic education.
He also called for increased collaboration between public and private partners to help TVET reach its full potential.
“Highlighting success stories of TVET graduates and linking skill development to national goals such as the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) can inspire more youth to embrace vocational training,” said the CS.
Ogamba added that the transition to Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) is a cornerstone of the country’s ongoing education reform agenda.
He was speaking in Mombasa on Wednesday.