Principal Secretary for TVET Dr Esther Thaara Muoria./HANDOUT
Kenya is seeking to strengthen links between technical training and the labour market as the International TVET Conference 2026 opened in Nairobi on Wednesday.
The three-day meeting has brought together government officials, employers, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, development partners and international experts to discuss how training can better respond to changing workplace demands.
The conference is being held under the theme, “Skills That Work: Advancing Industry-TVET Collaboration for Sustainable Skills and Global Competitiveness".
It is focusing on partnerships between training institutions and employers to improve the transition of young people from classrooms to workplaces.
Speaking at the opening, Principal Secretary for TVET Dr Esther Thaara Muoria said employers should play a more active role in shaping the skills taught in training institutions.
“Industry must be more than a recipient of skills. It must be an active partner in shaping them.”
Muoria said Kenya needs a training system developed with employers and tailored to industry needs.
“For Kenya, the direction is clear. We need training from industry, with industry and for industry. When training institutions and employers work together, young people gain practical skills, industry gains the talent it needs, and training becomes more responsive to the world of work,” she said.
The conference comes as Kenya works to address the mismatch between skills produced by training institutions and those required by employers.
The government and development partners are supporting workplace-based training models, including Dual Training, which combines classroom instruction with practical experience in industry.
Under the Promotion of Youth Employment and Vocational Training Programme, between 50 and 70 per cent of training takes place in industry, while 30 to 50 per cent is undertaken in TVET institutions.
More than 2,500 companies have engaged with TVET institutions, while more than 15,000 young people have benefited from improved training.
The model is intended to expose trainees to production systems and workplace expectations while strengthening cooperation between employers and training institutions.
Focus on jobs and industry
The conference is also examining the skills needed to support Kenya’s industrial transformation and expand employment opportunities for young people.
Industry representatives are expected to discuss skills shortages, workplace training and the role employers can play in improving the quality and relevance of TVET programmes.
Other areas under discussion include green and digital skills, modern training technologies, trainer development, sustainable skills financing, gender and inclusion, assessment and recognition of qualifications.
International experts are sharing experiences from Kenya and other countries on workforce development and stronger Industry-TVET partnerships.
The opening plenary brought together South Korean Ambassador to Kenya Kang Hyung-shik, Finnish Ambassador to Kenya Riina-Riikka Heikka and German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Konrad Lax.
The development partners commended the Ministry of Education for progress in reforming Kenya’s TVET system and reaffirmed their support for stronger industry partnerships and skills development.
TVET exhibition
The conference also features a TVET exhibition where institutions, companies and innovators are showcasing training solutions, technologies, student projects and industry innovations.
The exhibition is free and open to the public, allowing young people, parents and employers to view TVET training and innovations.
More than 1,000 people have registered for the conference against a planned capacity of 500 delegates.
Participants include government officials, private-sector representatives, TVET institutions, development partners, training organisations and other stakeholders.
The conference is being organised by the Ministry of Education through the State Department for TVET, with support from the governments of Finland, Germany and South Korea. GIZ is providing technical support and coordination.
The meeting will end on September 11, with participants expected to adopt recommendations and proposed actions to strengthen collaboration between government, industry, TVET institutions and development partners.
The outcome is expected to guide efforts to build a skills system that responds more effectively to employers’ needs while improving young people’s access to jobs.
