Kenya's ministry of education on Thursday unveiled a new roadmap to revitalize vocational and technical training in a bid to boost employability of the country's youth.
Principal Secretary in the State Department of Vocational and Technical Training Dinah Mwinzi said the new strategy to address skills gap that is linked to high youth unemployment focuses on life-long learning and mentorship tailor-made for this demographic.
"We are committed to be globally competitive and prosperous as outlined in Vision 2030 and having a vibrant technical and vocational training sector will be key to achieving that goal," Mwinzi said.
Kenya has developed a robust policy framework to transform vocational training in the light of rapidly evolving dynamics in the job market.
Mwinzi said the Treasury in partnership with bilateral partners has earmarked new funds to upgrade and equip technical training institutions countrywide.
"We require vibrant institutions to train personnel for various positions in industry and the informal economy. Technical institutions are key to improve the skills set of young people entering the labor market," said Mwinzi.
She added that Kenya has borrowed international best practices to address skills mismatch that has worsened unemployment in the country.
Kenya has developed one of the most vibrant technical and vocational training programs in Sub-Saharan Africa thanks to political goodwill and private sector investment.
Director General of Technical Vocational Educational and Technical Authority Kipkirui Langat said that a critical mass of highly skilled youth is key to tackle poverty and hasten Kenya's industrial progress.
"Our goal is to develop skills that are relevant to the needs of the industry and are adaptable to a fast changing technological environment," said Langat.
He added that the ongoing reforms in the curriculum seek to promote skills oriented learning in order to enable youth become self-reliant and provide solution to challenges facing their communities.