On 24^th May 2023, the KEPSA Education Sector Board (TVET Sub-sector) led by the sector board’s Vice Chair Ms Priscilla Kerebi and Project Director, Ajira Digital Program and Youth Employment Dr Ehud Gachugu, met with the Principal Secretary, State Department of TVET Dr Esther Muoria to explore innovative strategies, foster collaboration, and discuss how to bridge the gap between education and industry needs. With a common vision to revolutionize skills training, this meeting set the stage for a transformative era of synergy, equipping students with industry-relevant expertise and empowering them to excel in a rapidly evolving job market.

During the meeting, the private sector agreed to actively identify industry needs, provide training opportunities, and ensure a direct alignment between TVET programs and industry demands. The meeting also agreed that to address the information gap and change public perceptions about TVET training, re-branding initiatives such as conferences and fairs will be conducted to highlight the value and potential of vocational education. Additionally, Ajira in partnership with TVET institutions, agreed to conduct centre-based training programs to enhance the practical skills of trainees. The importance of upscaling and retraining TVET trainers and trainers of trainers, to improve the competency, aligning their teaching methods with the evolving industry requirements was also stressed.

Dr Muoria lauded the private sector for being proactive to partner to ensure a vibrant TVET sector. She acknowledged the crucial role of TVET education in driving economic growth and promoting skills development and emphasised the government's commitment to transforming the TVET sector, ensuring quality education, and enhancing the employability of graduates. She stressed the need for collaboration between the government, TVET institutions, and industry stakeholders to align the curriculum with industry demands and promote seamless transitions from education to employment through a dual training system where students learn more at the industry. She then encouraged the integration of emerging technologies, research-driven approaches, and industry partnerships to enhance the relevance of TVET programs and foster practical skills among students. She concluded by emphasizing the importance of strategic coordination among stakeholders to ensure quality assurance and accountability.

On her part, Ms Kerebi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with the government in transforming TVET education. She highlighted the need for TVET institutions to align their training programs with industry requirements to bridge the skills gap and enhance employability. She emphasized the importance of industry input in curriculum development and the provision of internship and apprenticeship opportunities for TVET students. She further emphasized the necessity of comprehensive training for TVET teachers and their trainers, enabling them to deliver quality education. She proposed collaborative initiatives between industry experts and TVET institutions to ensure that teachers are upscaled and equipped with the latest industry practices and technological advancements.

Dr Gachugu emphasized the significance of equipping youth with the necessary skills to excel in a constantly evolving job market. He highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in bridging the gap between education and industry needs, emphasizing the potential of academia-industry partnerships to provide students with practical, industry-relevant expertise. He urged the private sector to embrace these partnerships and work together towards a future where youth thrive, businesses flourish, and the nation prospers.

The meeting was highly productive and the Principal Secretary expressed their commitment to working together to address these challenges and promote the development of a robust TVET system that meets the evolving needs of industries and contributes to national development goals.