National TVET Conference 2017

The Hands on the Future National TVET Conference, which ran from 26-27 January 2017, brought together more than 700 key decision-makers in the Kenyan technical vocational education and training sector to assess the state of the sector, build alliances between the private and public sectors, and ultimately make policy recommendations to advance the employability of Kenya’s youth. The conference culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Education and various private sector representatives to cooperate on issues of access, equity, quality, and relevance towards transformation of Kenya’s National TVET system.

Following the conference, the first-ever Kenya Skills Show was held, which convened approximately 3,000 young people with more than 122 exhibitors showcasing training offerings and TVET-related programs from around the country.  Dozens of sectors were represented, including agriculture and livestock, automobile mechanics, building and construction, digital production, electrical and solar installation, entrepreneurship, fashion design, graphic design, hairdressing and beauty, heavy machine operation, hospitality and catering, oil and energy, photography, and robotics and mechtronics. In addition to the exhibits, the Skills Show featured over 50 seminars and mini-training sessions, and free professional career counseling on site.

See below to download the full report from the Conference and Skills Show.

• Institutionalize the involvement of industry in the TVET ecosystem, including developing training priorities, providing mentorship or apprenticeship opportunities, and leveraging funding. 
• Implement evidence-based policies for a successful TVET sector. 
• Fill the skills gap by working on the supply side of TVET skills to ensure that industry needs are met. 
• Build close collaborations among governments, private sector, and development partners to craft a sustainable future for the TVET sector. 
• Make TVET relevant to all youth through communication and media campaigns that rebrand TVET as a viable and inclusive option and through making it accessible to all youth with support program.