Kenya Association of Manufacturers links TVET graduates with Industry to bridge skills gap
Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) in partnership with German Corporation for International Development (GIZ) have held a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Job Fair as part of the organization’s goal to bridge the skills gap in the country.
Since the launch of the TVET Programme earlier in the year, KAM has worked with TVET institutions and Industry to place 290 technical skills graduates in various companies in Nairobi, Central, Nakuru and Coast regions and trained an additional 350 graduates on work readiness in preparation for industrial placement.
Speaking during the forum, Regional Director of TVET, Mr. George Matoke reiterated the government’s commitment towards technical skills development in Kenya.
“The government, through the Ministry of Education, is keen on addressing issues on access and equity, quality and relevance and governance and management of technical education,” added Mr. Matoke. He concluded by emphasizing that technical education is the way to go.
There is an increasing demand for skilled workers in industries in Kenya with demand for improved quality of goods and services that meet international investor standards. The TVET project addresses the need for review of the technical and vocational curriculum and consequently improve job productivity in the country.
KAM Nakuru Chapter Chair, Mr. Jayen Dodhia emphasized the need for TVET Institutions to work together with industry in order to create programs that are in touch with the needs of the industries.
“As industry, we welcome technical institutions, and we are ready to work together to address the grey areas in our technical education and ensure that the industries get what they need,” added Mr. Dodhia.
On their end, GIZ expressed their support to the promotional of technical skills in Kenya. Aregash Asfaw, the E4D SOGA Team Leader mentioned that to address the skills mismatch, industries, technical institutions and other players must work in harmony for fruits to be realized quickly.
KAM is committed to addressing the gap in the system by working together with technical training institutions and the manufacturing industries in ensuring that skills’ training is demand driven.
