TVETs Experience Remarkable Student Enrolment Growth.
The government’s attempts to boost enrollment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) have been successful. Nationally, the essential institutions have enjoyed a tremendous increase in student enrollment.
Thousands of students have learned the skills necessary to create revenue through self-employment, thereby assisting the government in reducing youth unemployment.
According to the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Authority, Kenya had 2,301 institutions as of 2020, compared to 753 at the initiative’s inception in 2013.
The Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) in Nakuru, Kenya, is one of the pioneering TVET institutions that is benefiting from rising enrollment.
According to the institution’s principal, Sammy Chemoiwa, the student population expanded to more than 10,000 by December 31, 2022, from the current number of 13,000 trainees.
The institution has campuses in Nakuru City and Kericho has built its third campus in Kuresoi.
“This additional campus in Kuresoi is a result of the government support that has seen us record remarkable growth in terms of student population,” said Mr Chemoiwa.
He reaffirmed the institution’s dedication to identifying and supporting effective production solutions through innovation in order to increase job creation and boost youth employment.
In order to achieve this lofty objective, RVIST is now implementing a number of significant initiatives aimed at boosting the youth’s access to meaningful employment.
These projects include The Young Africa Works in Kenya, a Colleges and Institutes Canada and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) empowered youth project, and the African Development Bank, which presently sponsors the skill development of more than 50 youth.
Mr. Chemoiwa added, “We also work closely with industry partners to ensure that our trainees have access to attachment and internship opportunities that will prepare them for the job market.”
According to the principal, in accordance with the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum, industrial partners have increased the training of qualified and skilled workers for the nation.
Mr. Chemoiwa stated that this engagement with industry stakeholders in this crucial sector of our economy is a winning method for addressing youth unemployment.
In the meantime, Mr. Chemoiwa has praised the government’s efforts to tackle climate change by sponsoring a variety of activities that involve public participation.
“As a training institution, we are currently exploring the possibility of utilising geothermal energy from our hot water borehole to facilitate drying of vegetables and fruits to avert post-harvest loss,” said Mr Chemoiwa.
In an effort to reduce its dependence on hydropower, the institute is currently using solar energy to power its street lights.
In its pursuit of green energy, the institute has planted nearly 5,000 tree seedlings. In addition, it has provided 1,000 seedlings to community organizations near the campus.
Mr. Chemoiwa stated that RVIST is the first TVET institution in Kenya to embrace greening of TVETs as advised by UNESCO-UNEVOC, a global network of institutions specializing in technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
The institution’s reputation as a leader in climate-smart agriculture has been bolstered by its use of renewable energy and its advocacy for climate action.
The college also hosts the Climate Smart Virtual Academy, which trains youngsters from all over the world in climate-smart activities, as a result of its achievements in sustainability.
Through this initiative, the institute has embraced a Climate Education Exchange Program (CEEP) under the auspices of the Global Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network, with the goal of enhancing youth abilities so that they can learn important knowledge regarding climate-smart practices.
TVETs Experience Remarkable Student Enrolment Growth
