Over 8,000 KCSE Graduates Opt for TVET and College Courses.
More than 8,000 students who sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) last year have chosen to enroll in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and other colleges. This figure is expected to grow as the Ministry of Education continues to release placement results through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, speaking in Mombasa at a capacity-building workshop organized by the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI), said that TVET programs are gaining popularity among high school graduates.
He explained that this shift reflects a broader understanding of TVET’s role in preparing youth for employment by equipping them with practical, market-relevant skills. He emphasized the growing importance of a skilled and adaptable workforce, particularly as Kenya accelerates industrialization and digitization.
The Cabinet Secretary acknowledged a persistent mismatch between the qualifications of job seekers and the needs of employers. He stressed that industries such as manufacturing, construction, hospitality, and ICT are urgently seeking skilled artisans, technicians, and service providers.
According to him, addressing this gap requires a collaborative approach focused on building institutional capacity and promoting continuous improvement within TVET institutions under the theme of strengthening leadership for a sustainable future.
With over 200 public and numerous private TVET institutions in the country, the government has taken deliberate steps to enhance the visibility and appeal of vocational training as a viable career path. Courses available range from electrical engineering and plumbing to digital skills and culinary arts, offering young people multiple routes to employment or entrepreneurship.
Ogamba pointed out that TVET plays a critical role in promoting entrepreneurial thinking, with many graduates establishing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thus contributing to local innovation and economic development. He advocated for increased public-private partnerships, community involvement, and awareness campaigns to transform outdated perceptions that TVET is only for those who do not succeed academically.
Linking Training to National Development Goals
The Education CS suggested that highlighting successful TVET graduates and linking skill development to national priorities such as the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) could motivate more youth to embrace vocational education.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) as a central part of education reform, aimed at producing innovative, skilled, and job-ready graduates.
Ogamba called on TVET institution heads to embed CBET principles into their curriculum and assessment systems. He urged trainers to adopt flexible teaching methods, simulate real work environments, and maintain industry ties.
He recommended shifting from traditional examinations to ongoing evaluations, portfolio reviews, practical assessments, and industry feedback to better gauge student competence.
He also revealed that the ministry is restructuring the curriculum through a modularization approach. Under this model, students will study specific skill sets in segments that can be completed in shorter durations—typically around three months—instead of undergoing year-long programs that may include irrelevant content. This model allows learners to receive certification upon mastering a skill and return later to continue their studies if desired.
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The new modular system is expected to enhance both flexibility and accessibility, thereby attracting more students to join TVET institutions. The ministry is actively collaborating across government agencies to boost enrollment and raise public awareness about available courses and institutions.
According to Ogamba, enrollment has already grown significantly—from 375,000 to 600,000 students—since the program’s inception.
Regarding financial support, he confirmed that the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds TVET programs, and the ministry has applied for approximately Sh8.5 billion from the supplementary budget to further support the sector’s expansion and operations.
Over 8,000 KCSE Graduates Opt for TVET and College Courses.
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