David Musundi
More than 16 million untrained practitioners in the informal sector will soon be certified by the State Department for Vocational and Technical Training to enable them access opportunities in various fields.
The programme dubbed Prior Learning will benefit vocational artisans, craftsmen, master craftsmen, technicians and technologists who have not necessarily been to formal institutions but have perfected their skills through experience.
“They will be assessed and certified. This will not only enable them to be acknowledged for their efforts to date but also enable them to access opportunities in the public and private sector,” said the department’s Principal Secretary Dr. Kevit Desai.
The PS spoke during the second graduation ceremony of Kitale National polytechnic which was upgraded from a technical training institute in 2016. Some 764 learners graduated at the event.
He added that beneficiaries of the programme will have access to opportunities arising from the Big Four agenda: Food security, manufacturing, universal healthcare and affordable housing.
Desai added that the programme will also offer the practitioners an opportunity to upgrade their skills and competencies through incubation under the competence-based training.
“The programme is critical for competence-based curriculum. We are in a paradigm shift where such institutions will be training five curriculums on competency-based education,” said Dasei.
He said as from January next year, technical training institutes will no longer offer training on a general basis but will instead be training to achieve standards and measurable tolerances.
“One of the most important functions is to achieve productivity, innovation and efficiency within the social, productive and the public sector through the creation of greater human capital development,” he said.
The PS said the department is also committed to ensuring the institutions are able to promote technology transfer, enterprise and incubation creation, and extension in the Agricultural sector.