The government has increased the number of technical and vocational education and training institutions from 52 in 2013 to 238 in 2021 at a cost of Sh10.6 billion.
Vocational and Technical Training Principal Secretary Margaret Mwakima said that out of the 238 TVET institutions, 192 are operational and 46 are nearing completion.
"The government is investing in moderniSing and expanding technical and vocational institutions. It expects to meet human resource needs for the industry and equipment for the growing industries. The government would like to see national polytechnics, technical training institutes, technical and vocational colleges supplying skilled human resources," Mwakima said.
She spoke on Wednesday during the eighth graduation ceremony at the Thika Technical Training Institute. She was the chief guest. She said that due to the Sh10.3 billion capitation government grants and Sh11.1 billion Helb loans to TVET trainees since 2019, there has been an increase in enrolment from 55,945 in 2013 to 249,316 in 2021.
"Additionally, a conditional grant of Sh2 billion is given to vocational training centres every financial year," the PS said.
Mwakima said arrangements are in place to recruit 3,000 trainers to address the current shortage in all the institutions, with the government reforming training programmes and providing equipment.
"We have moved to competency-based education and training, where we train with the industry on a 50-50 basis to prepare students for the world of work. The trainees are the reason the government shall continue to fund the construction and equipping of modern workshops and laboratories in STEM-related courses to ensure TVET institutions provide top-notch training experience."
She said the government has partnered with Germany, through the German Agency for International Cooperation, to launch a new course in auto bodybuilding and welding at Thika Technical Training Institute.
Thika TTI principal Hannah Mburu said that since the inception of the institution in 1949, they have increased the number of courses being undertaken by trainees from five to 80 and the institution has been assigned the key responsibility of mentoring upcoming technical and vocational colleges such as Murang'a, Kiharu, Gichugu and Mwea.
"Thika TTI has experienced tremendous growth in enrolment, with September 2021 intake alone realising 4,621 new trainees, increasing total enrolment to 11,744 students," Mburu said.
She said 1,725 students have been released to the job market after graduating.
