A silent revolution is taking shape in Kenya’s job market—Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates are now earning salaries that nearly match those of their university-educated counterparts.

Once seen as a fallback option for students who didn’t qualify for university, TVET courses are gaining renewed prestige as employers increasingly seek out hands-on skills over academic credentials.

This shift has been fueled by a growing demand for technical expertise, strategic government investment in vocational training institutions, and a changing mindset among employers who are prioritising practical competencies and productivity over paper qualifications. 

Historically, the wage gap between university and TVET graduates was significant.

Degree holders were often viewed as more qualified and were rewarded with higher salaries and more prestigious job opportunities, while TVET graduates were confined to lower-paying, manual, or technical roles. 

In recent years, however, the government has taken deliberate steps to revamp and reposition TVET through ambitious reforms.

Under the Kenya Vision 2030 blueprint, technical training is identified as a key pillar in driving industrialisation and reducing youth unemployment.

The enactment of the TVET Act 2013 led to the establishment of the TVET Authority (TVETA), which now oversees quality assurance, curriculum development, and institutional accreditation.

Investments have also been channelled into modernising training facilities, equipping instructors, and expanding access through initiatives like the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP).

These reforms are reshaping TVET into a more attractive and credible path to employment and upward mobility. 

Recent surveys and statistics are painting a clear picture of a shifting job market in Kenya, where TVET graduates are gaining ground in terms of pay and employability.

A Skills Needs Survey conducted by the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) in November 2023 revealed that 34.9% of businesses now prefer hiring candidates with TVET qualifications.

This preference surpasses the demand for master’s degree holders, who account for only 12.1%, and PhD holders at 3.1%.

Even bachelor’s degree holders, traditionally considered the most employable, only accounted for 43.8% of hiring preferences. 

Supporting this trend, data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicates that workers in sectors dominated by TVET-trained professionals are earning competitive wages.

For example, employees in the information and communication sector—where many TVET graduates work as ICT technicians—earn an average monthly salary of Ksh113,752.

In the manufacturing sector, where mechanics, electricians, and other technicians are commonly employed, the average monthly pay stands at around Ksh96,167.

These earnings are comparable to, and in some cases exceed, those of graduates in many traditional university career paths. 

TVET careers are not only gaining popularity but are also proving to be financially rewarding. Electricians and welders, for instance, are in high demand within the transport, logistics, and construction sectors.

Roles in wiring, installation, and plumbing alone account for over 20% of TVET-related hires. Mechanics, particularly those trained in automotive engineering and emerging electric vehicle (EV) technologies, are among the top earners in TVET professions.

The ICT sector continues to lead in demand, with 28.4% of jobs falling under the “highest demand” category.

TVET-trained ICT professionals, equipped with hands-on technical skills, are increasingly earning six-figure salaries.

In addition, the hospitality and tourism sector remains a strong area of employment for TVET graduates, with consistent job opportunities and decent pay. 

Further evidence of TVET’s rising value comes from private sector reports.

The FKE survey notes that 26.5% of TVET graduates are employed in transport and logistics, 11.1% in hospitality and tourism, and 21.1% in electrical wiring and installations—all areas where wages for technicians are competitive and often rising.

Human resource consultants also highlight a growing trend among employers to favour diploma and certificate holders over degree graduates.

The main reason is that TVET graduates tend to be more job-ready, require less onboarding, and are often willing to accept lower initial salaries, making them cost-effective and efficient hires.

This has led to quicker placements and growing employer confidence in the TVET system as a pipeline for reliable, skilled workers. 

The narrowing wage gap between TVET and university graduates is being driven by a fundamental shift in how employers recruit and reward talent in Kenya.

Increasingly, companies are embracing skills-based hiring—prioritising what a candidate can do over the academic papers they hold.

This approach has given TVET graduates a strong foothold in the job market, especially in sectors that require hands-on expertise and immediate productivity. 

Employers across industries are now emphasising practical competencies and work readiness.

Unlike many university graduates who require extensive onboarding or retraining, TVET alumni often arrive on the job equipped with industry-specific skills, having undergone intensive practical training and attachments.

This makes them not only more job-ready but also cost-effective to hire and retain. 

While TVET graduates are gaining traction in Kenya’s job market, many university graduates continue to grapple with persistent employment challenges.

One of the most pressing issues is high unemployment among degree holders, especially those who studied in fields with limited market demand.

Kenya’s universities produce thousands of graduates each year in disciplines like sociology, business administration, international relations, and education—fields that are already saturated and offer few new opportunities.

According to data from the KNBS, a significant portion of unemployed youth in the country hold university degrees. 

This problem is compounded by a skills mismatch between what universities teach and what employers actually need.

Many degree programmes are heavily theoretical and lack practical components that align with the realities of modern workplaces.

Graduates often leave university with impressive academic credentials but minimal hands-on experience, making it difficult for them to compete with TVET-trained individuals who possess job-ready technical skills. 

As a result, university graduates frequently find themselves stuck in a cycle of unpaid internships, short-term contracts, and prolonged job searches.

It is not uncommon for graduates to spend years trying to secure stable employment, often accepting positions well below their qualification level or shifting to unrelated sectors.

Some are even forced to return to school for diploma or certificate courses in order to acquire practical skills. 

Implications for the Youth and Parents 

More young people are now actively choosing TVET institutions over traditional universities, recognising that practical skills offer faster entry into the job market and greater self-reliance.

This change in perception has fueled a surge in enrollment at technical training institutes across the country, with growing competition for limited slots in well-equipped and accredited institutions. 

Parents, too, are rethinking their long-held beliefs. Increasingly, they are prioritising employability over prestige, advising their children to pursue paths that align with market demand rather than social status.

In households once fixated on securing a university degree at any cost, there is now a more open and pragmatic discussion about education value, return on investment, and long-term career prospects. 

As Kenya’s economy evolves and employers demand more technical and digital skills, experts agree that empowering TVET institutions and graduates is no longer optional—it is essential for inclusive growth and national development. 

The Author is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Eldoret, a Higher Education Expert, and a Quality Assurance Consultant.