Digital technology is reshaping industries worldwide, making it crucial for vocational training programmes to adapt accordingly.
By integrating digital tools and resources into curricula, students can be better prepared for the future job market.
This progressive approach was highlighted by Bärbel Kofler, the Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) during the ‘roofing ceremony’ of the newly constructed Automotive Mechatronics Workshops at Nairobi Technical Training Institute (NTTI).
Kofler underscored the need for more companies to offer training opportunities to youth to address unemployment.
She also highlighted the collaborative efforts between the European Union and Kenya, expressing gratitude for the support received from various stakeholders.
"The success of this initiative is a testament to the power of international cooperation. Through the Team Europe Initiative, we are achieving much more together in collaboration," she noted.
Speaking at the event, Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, lauded Dual TVET as a game-changer and appreciated the German Government's support in constructing the new training infrastructure.
She affirmed the State Department’s commitment to ensuring training opportunities are accessible for all, adding "Our goal is to create a robust TVET system that meets the needs of both students and employers. By working together, we can build a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, and ready to drive Kenya's economic growth," she said.
Other TVET institutions set to benefit from this two-phase infrastructure and training equipment programme by the German government between 2021 and 2025 include Kiambu National Polytechnic - Industrial Mechatronics, Thika Technical Training Institute - Autobody Technology, Kitale National Polytechnic - Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Mechatronics, Bumbe Technical Training Institute - Training for Automotive Technicians, Nyamira National Polytechnic - Plant Technician training with a specialization in the tea industry and Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (RIAT) - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
The seven are among the 65 national TVET institutions currently implementing the dual training model in close collaboration with over 1,000 companies in Kenya.
Trainees spend fifty percent of their time in on-the-job training and mentorship within a company, while the remaining fifty percent is conducted at a TVET institution.
The workshops at NTTI are part of a 34 million Euro initiative financed by the German government through the German Development Bank (KfW).
This investment aims to enhance vocational training infrastructure in selected TVET institutions.
In parallel, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is supporting the State Department of TVET in institutionalizing dual training across Kenya through policy reforms, capacity building of trainers and management staff, and bridging the collaboration between industry and training institutions.
During her week-long visit in Kenya,Kofler also attended the African Development Bank Group's 2024 Annual Meeting in Nairobi and visited the Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant.
Notably, German support via KfW has developed over 470 MW of power generation capacity in Kenya, most of which is within the geothermal sector, providing clean, cheap, and eco-friendly power.
