NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 18 – Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has reaffirmed the Government of Kenya’s commitment to transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions into key engines of industrialisation, innovation, and youth employment.
Speaking during the official opening of the Kabete National Polytechnic 4th International Research Conference, Skills Competition, Innovation, Career Guidance and Expo, Ogamba said the government is focused on building a skills-driven economy that prioritises practical competencies over purely academic qualifications.
“Kenya is positioning itself as a competitive supplier of talent, innovation, and practical solutions in both local and global markets, in line with the country’s national transformation agenda,” he observed.
The CS stated that global labour markets are rapidly changing due to advances in artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, and the transition to green economies, which are creating new opportunities while disrupting traditional careers.
“Institutions such as Kabete National Polytechnic are central to Kenya’s ability to compete globally, saying their role in research, innovation, and skills development will determine the country’s future economic success,” he said.
Ogamba highlighted the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) as the government’s guiding framework for expanding opportunities in digital infrastructure, renewable energy, e-mobility, climate action, and the blue economy.
He further stressed the importance of collaboration between government, TVET institutions, universities, industry players, researchers, and development partners to ensure skills training aligns with labour market demands.
The CS called for stronger linkages between innovation and industry, urging institutions to ensure that student innovations are commercialised and turned into job-creating enterprises rather than remaining in exhibition spaces.
According to Ogamba, “TVET institutions should evolve into hubs of production and enterprise through incubation centres, innovation hubs, and partnerships with industry to support local manufacturing, value addition, and entrepreneurship.”
He reiterated that TVET is no longer a secondary education pathway but a central pillar of industrialisation, youth employment, and national self-reliance.
The government, he said, is implementing major reforms including alignment of training with industry needs, dual training models, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), digitisation of skills mapping, and investment in modern training equipment.
Ogamba revealed that TVET enrolment has grown significantly from about 341,000 trainees to over 718,000, with a national target of reaching 2 million learners in the coming years.
He attributed the growth to expanded recruitment of trainers, establishment of training institutions across constituencies, and increased government investment in education.
The CS also pointed to flagship programmes such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA), Kenya Jobs Economic Transformation (KJET), and RPL as key tools for enhancing youth employability and skills recognition.
He further highlighted the Affordable Housing Programme as a major driver of employment, noting that it is creating demand for skilled labour across multiple trades including masonry, plumbing, welding, electrical work, carpentry, and engineering.
Ogamba concluded by urging stakeholders to strengthen partnerships that connect TVET institutions with industry and global labour markets, saying the future of Kenya’s competitiveness depends on skills, innovation, and productivity.
