The Vocational and Technical Training PS Margaret Mwakima has asked learners to consider taking TVET courses because they are more marketable and best suited for self-employment.
In her speech read by Ministry of Education Chief Administrative Secretary David Yatich, she said there was a need to embrace technical training.
Her speech was read during the Coast Institute of Technology (CIT) ninth graduation ceremony at Voi, Taita Taveta, on Friday.
The PS said technical skills and innovations are critical to the country's future and the achievement of Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
She said the government has committed resources to improve infrastructure, equipping institutions and capacity building of the trainers.
“This is aimed at improving access, relevance, quality, and equity of the TVET programmes. Overall it has cost the government Sh10.6 billion,” she said.
The reforms in TVET, Mwakima said, have revolutionised the sector in terms of physical infrastructure and the provision of modern training equipment.
She however said the majority of the general public still perceives TVET institutions as unattractive and meant for learners who failed to join university.
“To change this mindset, there is a need to continue branding TVET through skills competitions, music, drama and cultural festivals, sports and TVET fair competitions,” the PS said.
Despite the perception challenges, Mwakima said the ministry has increased enrolment in TVET institutions from 55,000 to 288,000 in the last 10 years.
Mwakima said plans are underway to make CIT a premium technical training institution that responds to industry needs for training technical human capital for the country and globally.
“We are in the process of increasing the number of national polytechnics to at least have one in every county. Coast Institute of Technology is one of the colleges earmarked for the upgrading,” Mwakima said.
The Principal Stephen Ngome lauded the graduands for their commitment to work hard and complete their respective courses.
The 963 students graduated with certificates and diplomas in different faculties.
“The skills set you have attained are truly the fruits of your labour. You now must offer exemplary service to the industry and society,” Ngome said.
The principal said the institution is delighted to have been selected for upgrading to a national polytechnic, saying it shall play a key role in the region’s education sector.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
