Africa's silver bullet is in technology, TVET upskilling

Edward Kamau consultant GIZ explains to students on how to cut a cooper wire during refresher training course on refrigeration & air conditioning for women technicians in Kenya. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] The saying goes that when Nairobi sneezes, the cities of the world catches the cough. This is better explained by Kenya's prowess as the East African economic powerhouse on its path to rule the airwaves of TVET in Africa and the world, thanks to government's strong support to the TVET sector. The just-ending week has witnessed Kenya continue spreading it's magical tentacles even as it brands TVET training in tandem with the global technological narrative. Active appearance in World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics congress (WFCP) held in Donostia San Sebastian, Spain in June 2022 and Montreal, Canada, in April 2023 is no mean grip on innovations, leadership, diversity and research in the TVET sector. Keynote speaker during the 2022 WFCP was Dr Kevit Desai (former PS VTT) and in this years conference, the keynote speaker was Kericho Governor Erick Mutai who is also the chairman of Education committee of the Council of Governors. While WFCP was happening in North America, a team of principals from Kenya was also ushering Senegal into Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) in a conference held in a coastal town of Saly. In a nutshell, Kenya is in forefront in a noble cause for networking, linkage and collaboration. Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions (KATTI) national governing council chairman David Mwangi, who is also the Chief Principal of the Nyeri National Polytechnic led the Kenyan team to the WFCP conference in Canada. The team that was in Senegal was led by KATTI National Secretary General and Principal Kericho Township TVC Shadrack Tonui. This team was made up of 22 seasoned TVET Principals from public TVET institutions. TVET heavyweights and ATUPA board members Edwin Tarno and Dr Maren Omondi were handy to support Prof Laila Abubakar, the ATUPA chairperson, in articulating the role of TVET in the continent. Vibrant youths The ATUPA West African conference in Saly ended in high notch with unforgettable memories after ushering the francophone state into the family of ATUPA institutions in Africa. In essence this was a reminiscent of the Africa renaissance and this narrative cannot be complete without skilling of the vibrant youths of the continent. So to say, the Africa renaissance is just but embedded in TVET agenda. Down memory lane, ATUPA was officially formed in 1977 in Accra Ghana with sole aim of fostering technical training as well as sharing knowledge and research in TVET training among the member countries. ATUPA Secretary General Jahou Samba Faal led the board members in articulating the gains made by ATUPA since inception. It goes without saying that Senegal is rich in character and content of hope and resilience of humanity. But equally, the way forward is need for exporting of skilled labour to the world. This is the only sure way to connect the dark past of unskilled forceful labor (slavery) and the skilled future through TVET training. The slavery of chains and yokes need to transform to the export of higher demand for voluntary export of skilled labour. And perhaps this is what answers the prayers made by Pope John Paul II when he visited the island in 1992. Coming back ATUPA conference, Neptune hotel provided an opportunity in the coastal town for the participants from Nigeria, Gambia, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the host to rethink and leverage on research and innovation for agro - industry growth. This is purely what TVET can venture into if sustainable development is to be attained. Indeed this is the missing links and the jewel that have finally found it's place in TVET. The ATUPA leadership did a very impressive job through series of research and fine presentations from seasoned scholars who form creme-de- creme of the TVET gurus of the continent. For Africa to move forward towards self reliance, there is no choice but to leverage on TVET skilling. This journey happens through setting a right pathway and dialing the right button at the right time. To achieve Africa renaissance through TVET skillling, there is need for rebranding, clarity of focus, mobilization of resources and global networking. It is with no doubt that Dr Esther Muoria, the PS, State department of TVET has the grip of what this means at length. Meeting with upcoming great economists of Africa like Dr Araba Afful, one never misses to understand how every aspect of a countries priorities need to be put in economic perspective, TVET notwithstanding. This chocolate skinned lady oozing with brilliance ably advocates for prudent resource management as she also champions for good governance in the ailing continent. Coming to the Kenyan perspective of renaissance in TVET, there is a lot that we need to be proud of. Going by the checklist on indicators of development, I find Kenya well positioned in Africa as far as industrial revolution is concerned. The political goodwill and the aspirations of Bottom up Economic Transformation Agenda, gives us impetus to compete favourably in the region and continent at large. In a nut shell, we are much ahead of the rest. There is no doubt that in the not too distant future, TVET will fashionably be the gateway to unlocking hope and potentials in Africa. For sure we need to think without the box and prepare an economic model focused on being net exporter. Value addition is the way to go. Africa renaissance is real and it starts with TVET skilling.

Africa's silver bullet is in technology, TVET upskilling

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