The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has called on 2024 KCSE candidates to shift their focus from traditional degree choices and consider Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions as a gateway to employment and self-reliance.

Speaking during a media briefing on Friday, August 1, 2025, KUCCPS Chief Executive Officer Agnes Mercy Wahome noted that despite government investment in TVET, the enrollment rates remain far below capacity. She challenged students and parents to overcome outdated mindsets that dismiss vocational training as a second-tier option.

“We want candidates to understand that TVET is not a fallback plan, it’s a direct route to skills that Kenya urgently needs,” she said

She emphasised that the global job market is tilting heavily towards skills-based labour, and Kenya is no exception. Courses in plumbing, electrical work, automotive engineering, ICT, hairdressing, and culinary arts are not only practical but in high demand across countries and even internationally.

Tackling unemployment

In a country facing high youth unemployment, KUCCPS argues that TVET graduates are better equipped to create jobs or secure contracts in both the public and private sectors, unlike some degree holders who continue to seek opportunities years after graduation.

The officials also noted that students enrolled in TVET colleges benefit from government capitation and access to HELB loans, making their training far more affordable compared to most university programs.

“Let’s be clear, a young person with a plumbing certificate and the right tools can start earning immediately. We need to stop associating success with lecture halls and start aligning it with real impact,” she added

The call comes at a time when Kenya is pushing to grow its manufacturing, construction, and service industries, all sectors that rely heavily on skilled technical labour.

Placement to TVET institutions is currently ongoing, and KUCCPS has urged all eligible candidates to visit their portal and apply before the deadline.