CS Machogu Unveils Bold Initiative: Ministry Set to Empower 2,000 New TVET Trainers for a Skills Revolution!
The Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, has announced plans to hire an additional 2,000 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) tutors in the coming year. This move is aimed at addressing the shortage of trainers in TVET institutions, as highlighted by Mr. Machogu during the recent graduation ceremony at the Eldoret National Polytechnic.
Cabinet Secretary Machogu emphasized the importance of keeping up with the increasing number of students joining TVET institutions by hiring 1,300 tutors in the current year. He specifically mentioned the efforts to retool TVET trainers for the implementation of the new Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) system, which has recently been introduced.
During his address, Machogu expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the new TVET curriculum, stating that it will produce competent graduates capable of securing employment opportunities both within Kenya and internationally. He noted a significant trend where more students, despite qualifying for university admission, are choosing to enroll in TVET institutions.
Highlighting international collaboration, Machogu revealed the partnership between the Ministry of Education and Germany in implementing a new training model. This collaboration aims to align training standards with international benchmarks, facilitated by President William Ruto securing job opportunities for Kenyan youth in Germany.
Encouraging a proactive approach, Machogu challenged TVET institutions to engage with industry players to address existing skills gaps. He urged TVET graduates to leverage their acquired skills to create job opportunities, emphasizing the importance of contributing to economic growth through entrepreneurship.
Providing insights from the Eldoret National Polytechnic, Chief Principal Charles Koech shared that all September intake students were enrolled in the new CBET curriculum. The institution has retooled 350 tutors to effectively deliver CBET training and has achieved notable advancements, including the development of an Artificial Intelligence farm machine.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts, Paul Murgor, chairman of the Eldoret National Polytechnic Governing Council, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for facilitating the expansion of training facilities to meet market demands. He mentioned specific partnerships, such as the one with textile manufacturer Rivatex East Africa, to enhance competency training.
Stanley Kiptis, Chairman of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, affirmed the readiness of all TVET institutions to offer prior learning certificates to skilled individuals, underscoring the commitment to recognizing and valuing diverse skill sets among the Kenyan workforce.
