By Laura Darcey.
With 50% of its population under the age of 25, Kenya is teeming with potential. Its youth represent the nation’s most valuable yet underdeveloped resource. However, this potential can only be realised if young people have access to a modern education system that prioritises intellectual and creative development. Among this young generation are future innovators, engineers, entrepreneurs, scholars and leaders poised to drive Kenya forward. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) offers a clear path to unlocking this potential, equipping the youth with essential skills for the future.
The Kenyan government passed the 2013 TVET Act naming TVET the ‘preferable’ option for post-primary education for young people, identifying it as a method to close stubborn skill gaps and reinvigorate Kenya’s stalling economy. Moving away from a general education provided at most Kenyan universities, TVET provides specific skills that are sought after in the job market, enabling graduates a smooth transition into productive work. With emerging jobs in Kenya concentrated in fields such as manufacturing, construction, polytechnic, textiles and hospitality, TVET is a clear path forward for Kenya’s youth.
TVET for Personal and Community Prosperity
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) equips students with practical skills and knowledge essential for success in their chosen trades, effectively addressing skill gaps in the job market. Programs are tailored to meet the needs of local employers, ensuring students acquire in-demand skills and are well-prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation.
Countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan have invested heavily in TVET programs alongside university and polytechnic training, resulting in the emergence of highly-skilled workforces and lower youth unemployment rates. Investing in a skilled workforce promotes productivity growth, leading to more and better jobs for the current workforce. Businesses can find the talent they need to grow, promoting economic prosperity which, in turn, increases the demand for skilled workers in the community and reduces youth unemployment rates. Coupled with the entrepreneurial potential of TVET graduates, these initiatives can foster sustainable socio-economic development, benefitting both current and future generations.
Ingredients for a successful TVET program
While TVET has the potential to transform an economy, the Kenyan government has not yet invested sufficiently in its public TVET programs to unlock these benefits. Consequently, schools like NTS remain essential in communities like Nyamboyo Village.
For TVET programs to have a broad impact, they must be accessible to the youth of the country. In Kenya, despite investments that have lowered the cost of attendance, at a yearly cost of $550 it still remains out of reach of many, especially those living in poverty.
As learners enter TVET programs after primary education, they are expected to have the foundational skills applicable to their studies. Unfortunately, due to the poor state of primary education in Kenya, students often enter public TVET programs with limited literacy and math abilities, making the acquisition of technical skills challenging. Successful TVET programs must ensure that students possess basic skills, supplementing their education in these areas as needed to provide them with tools to excel in their studies.
An effective TVET education fosters the development of general skills, including basic and soft skills, as well as “learning how to learn” abilities that support lifelong learning. As industries evolve rapidly, this approach can future-proof TVET graduates, enabling them to adapt to changing environments. A key factor in the success of a TVET program is its ability to meet the dynamic demands of local industries. Programs must be flexible, inclusive, efficient, and collaborative, delivering the skills employers need while recognising that these needs frequently change.
TVET Success at NTS
NTS provides a TVET education that addresses the shortcomings of the public system. The four vocational programs offered at NTS have been extensively researched by professionals to ensure they are in growing economic sectors with an expanding need for qualified professionals. Senior NTS staff regularly engage with local employers about the skills they seek in young, trained professionals. These employers are also recruited as volunteers who actively participate in the classroom, working directly with students.
All NTS teachers are qualified teaching professionals with advanced NITA certification and practical experience as business owners and employees. Many of the teachers work in businesses on weekends and holidays to stay current in their field, ensuring they remain up-to-date with the skills in demand.
While NTS ensures students receive quality technical education, we understand it is not enough to simply teach students the theory and practical skills for their chosen profession.
NTS’ approach to learning opens our students’ minds to bigger ideas. They view their professions as not just a route to financial stability, but an exciting challenge that will keep them engaged and excited to work for years to come. Their education goes far beyond the practicalities of their profession, as they learn how to run a business in their region, with math, English and entrepreneurship skills preparing them to excel in the world of work.