Discussion Paper No. 105 of 2009 on Improving Technical and Vocational Training in Kenya: Lessons from Selected Countries

Abstract

Vocational and technical education and training are important for a country’s sustainable human capital and economic development. However, for Kenya’s Technical, Industrial, Vocational Education and Training (TIVET) system to play these roles, it needs to be reformed. Currently, the system faces a number of challenges, including fragmentation of its programmes, limited integration into the formal education system, weak linkages with local labour markets, insufficient finances, inadequate monitoring, poor wage employment opportunities for its graduates, and limited alignment with technological innovation at local and global levels. To address these challenges, TIVET reforms should include policies and strategies to tackle issues related to quality of programmes, relevance of the training offered, employability of graduates, collaboration with training institutions, and collaboration among industries and employers. It is important that the country develops national skills standards, national qualifications framework, and adequate internal and external quality assurance mechanisms...