The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), in partnership with Ministry of Education, State Department of TVET, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, on 20th March, 2024 hosted over 100 businesses from the Coast region to discuss how they can partner in equipping the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students around the region with industry-led skills and competencies, through the ongoing Program dubbed, “Dual TVET Program.” The Program targets over 1000 students annually from the region, including Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, and Mombasa counties. It seeks to revolutionize skills development and enhance youth employability by bridging the gap between education and industry. It seeks to equip over 6,000 Kenyan youth countrywide by 2027, with over 40% participation from women and 1% persons with disabilities, with skills to enhance employability and contribute to Kenya's economic growth.

“The Dual TVET Training Program is not just about imparting knowledge or honing technical skills; it is about nurturing talent, fostering creativity, and unleashing the full potential of every individual. By providing students with dual training opportunities that seamlessly integrate classroom learning with real-world experience, we are not only equipping them with the practical skills and competencies they need to thrive in today's dynamic and ever-evolving job market but also instilling in them a sense of confidence, resilience, and adaptability that will serve them well throughout their lives” said Dr. Esther Muoria, the Principal Secretary State Department of TVET in a speech read by Joseph Njau, Director of Vocational and Technical Education.

Towards this, Kenya has been investing heavily in reforming the TVET sub-sector. The government has committed over 29 billion shillings to this effort within two years to increase enrolment from 180,000 students to one million. In collaboration with other stakeholders, the government is working to align TVET programs with national goals and market needs, expand available TVET opportunities, and make them more accessible. With these initiatives, Kenya is on the path towards achieving its Vision 2030 goals and becoming a prosperous and competitive nation.

Carole Kariuki, KEPSA CEO, in her speech read by Priscilla Kerebi, Vice Chair of KEPSA's Education Sector Board (TVET), reiterated KEPSA's steadfast dedication to supporting the Dual TVET Training Program and championing the cause of youth empowerment. With unwavering resolve, she emphasized the indispensable role of private-public partnerships in driving progress in the TVET sector. She added that beyond the immediate outcomes, the program's impact will be felt across communities, as employed individuals contribute to household incomes and economic growth. This ripple effect underscores the importance of sustainable interventions in driving long-term prosperity.

Through the Program, trainees will gain practical skills through industry training and mentorship to complement the skills offered by TVET institutions. Additionally, it will help match businesses with the right skill set and improve employee productivity and retention rates. With a commitment to bridging the gap between education and industry, the Program will ensure that TVET curricula align seamlessly with the dynamic needs of industries. This will eventually lead to increased employment prospects for TVET graduates.

The benefits of the Dual TVET Training Program are manifold. From reducing business retraining costs to fostering a culture of excellence among the youth workforce, this initiative promises to unlock boundless potential for innovation and growth. Moreover, by aligning training curricula with industry needs, we ensure that our graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the job market, thereby driving productivity and competitiveness.

“Our focus spans the country, including the coastal region, and we collaborate with the private sector and technical education centers. Through this transformative initiative, we aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry, combatting the issue of half-baked graduates. We aim to put the youth as partners in development and not beneficiaries as they have capacity to solve complex challenges businesses are experiencing today through their creativity, global exposure and technological savvy” said Dr. Ehud Gachugu, Global Director of Youth and Jobs at KEPSA, during a panel session at the launch, discussing unlocking potential, innovative approaches to skills development & investing in tomorrow's workforce. He further explained that the leading cause of youth unemployment is the deficiency in employability skills among young individuals, as highlighted by the lower unemployment rate of 12.5% for those with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) education. These findings align with employers' assertions of a significant skills mismatch compared to available job opportunities. Consequently, investing in TVET training emerges as a promising and effective strategy for bolstering youth employability and mitigating unemployment.

Through the Program, TVETs will manage to release market-ready trainees who match the labour market requirements. The learners will be equipped with the competencies needed to excel academically and navigate the complexities of the 21^st century and fit global labour markets. Major courses to be covered in the coastal region through the Program include Food and Beverage, Electrical Installation, Welding and Fabrication, Marine Welding and Fabrication, Automotive Engineering and Technology, and Housekeeping and Accommodation, among others.

Mr. Mohamed Merali, Director of Lifting Equipment Company Limited (LECOL) in Mombasa, indicated that the half-school-half industry strategy is very effective for them as a business since it helps them get up to standard resources. He reiterated that any organization is as good as its human resources, hence the importance of such initiatives that help prepare the talents way in advance.

Samuel Kariuki, a trainee through Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) and a beneficiary of the Dual TVET Program, explained to the participants that his appreciation of the Program as it has offered him a chance to learn practically the issues regarding vehicle assembling and allowed him to improve his problem-solving skills which he feels can apply at any automotive industry. Samuel explained that in addition to improving his chances for employability, this has also made him consider entrepreneurship, as he can comfortably start up a vehicle servicing point with the skills.

This Program is yet another effort by KEPSA in expanding its youth employment operations in the region having successfully implement the youth internship program, the Ajira Digital Project, Sustainable Inclusive Business, the MSME development program among other policy advocacy initiatives targeting business environment.

The Dual Training also serves as a platform for stakeholders to unite, exchange ideas, and forge alliances towards a common goal; empowering Kenyan youth through quality vocational training and industry-relevant skills development.

This Program has been made possible through joint financing from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ), represents a seismic shift in approaching talent acquisition and development by bridging the gap between academia and industry. It is about reimagining traditional onboarding processes, transforming classrooms into crucibles of innovation, and equipping our trainees with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of the modern workforce. Hence, this Program is a call to all businesses and stakeholders to jointly come together and support the development of talents as they also future proof productivity and efficiency of these businesses.