Matili TT I Graduates Step Into Global Workforce as Gov’t Deepens TVET Reforms
Kenya is undertaking a major transformation of its education sector, replacing the long-standing 8-4-4 system with the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework.
The shift marks a move away from producing “textbook-ready” graduates toward nurturing “job-ready” innovators, a transition that is said to have already driven increased enrollment and accelerated expansion of training infrastructure across the country.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony at Matili Technical Training Institute, Cabinet Secretary for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
He urged students to apply energy and passion in their studies, noting that the government is investing resources to ensure quality training.
Murkomen emphasized that the current framework places greater emphasis on practical skills, saying graduates from technical institutions are now better positioned to compete in the global job market.
He encouraged learners to explore opportunities beyond Kenya’s borders as a way to improve their livelihoods and support their families.
The CBET model represents a decisive break from the 8-4-4 system, which had often prioritised examination performance over hands-on application.
Under the new framework, learning is anchored on key pillars designed to promote innovation, critical thinking, and solution-oriented approaches.
Students are increasingly exposed to real-world challenges as part of their training, while digital literacy is integrated across various trades to prepare them for the global digital economy.
At the same event, Principal Secretary in the State Department for TVET, Esther Muoria, said the government is focused on delivering training that is practical, industry-aligned, flexible, and responsive to modern workplace demands.
The reform also places emphasis on holistic development, equipping learners with life skills such as ethics, adaptability, and resilience, with the goal of producing not only skilled workers but well-rounded citizens.
A central component of the transformation is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, which allows individuals in the informal sector including mechanics, masons and tailors to receive formal certification for their existing skills and experience.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education has streamlined training by reducing excessive theoretical content and strengthening industry-based, on-the-job learning. This approach is expected to produce graduates more efficiently while maintaining technical standards and meeting the immediate needs of industry.
