Ministry to hire 2,000 more TVET trainers next year, says Machogu

The Ministry of Education will hire an additional 2,000 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) tutors next year, Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has said.

Mr Machogu said the additional number of tutors will reduce shortage of trainers in TVET institutions.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony of more than 2,500 students of the Eldoret National Polytechnic on Wednesday, Machogu said his ministry hired 1,300 tutors this year to meet the training needs of increasing numbers of students joining TVET institutions.

The Education CS said TVET trainers were being retooled to teach the new Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), which was rolled out recently.

He praised the new TVET curriculum, saying it would lead to equipping competent graduates who will secure jobs in Kenya and foreign countries.

He said more students qualified to join universities this year but instead preferred to enroll in TVET institutions.

This academic year, Machogu noted 9,000 students who attained university entry grades opted to join TVETs.

“Ministry of Education is partnering with Germany in the new training model. The President (William Ruto) secured job opportunities for the youth in Germany and that is why we have to meet international standards in our training,” the CS said.

Machogu challenged TVET institutions to partner with industry players in bridging existing skills gaps.

The CS asked TVET graduates to use their skills to create more jobs.

Eldoret National Polytechnic Chief Principal Charles Koech said all the September intake students were enrolled for the new CBET curriculum.

Koech said 350 tutors at the institution had been retooled to train CBET.

He said the institutions had made strides in inventions, among them an Artificial Intelligence farm machine.

“Our training will continue to be tailor-made to the industry demands,” the principal said.

Paul Murgor, chairman of Eldoret National Polytechnic Governing Council, thanked the Ministry of Education for facilitating expansion of the institution's training facilities to meet market demands.

Dr Murgor said the polytechnic had signed a partnership deal with textile manufacturer, Rivatex East Africa, among others to enhance competency training.

Kenya National Qualifications Authority Chairman Stanley Kiptis said all TVET institutions are ready to offer prior learning certificates to skilled Kenyans.

The ceremony was graced by Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor John Barorot, County Assembly Speaker Philip Muigei and Kesses MP Julius Ruto.