CBET and Dual Training System in TVETs to Combat Poverty and Skill Gaps
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu has stated that implementing the Dual Training System in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will help alleviate poverty and close the skills gap among youngsters.
Mr. Machogu stated that the dual training system is a new system that is aligned with the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) module for TVETs, with the goal of providing trainees with practical skills and information from industry in addition to theories taught in the classrooms.
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The CS stated this in a speech read on his behalf by State Department for TVET Principal Secretary Esther Muoria at the 5th Graduation Ceremony of Michuki Technical Training Institute in Murang’a County on Friday, where 1673 graduates were awarded diplomas and certificates in various TVET disciplines.
According to Machogu, TVET skilling is one of the most important tools for reducing poverty and bridging skills gaps; hence, CBET implementation remains critical.
“In ensuring that the TVET trainees are fully skilled, the Ministry of Education has continued to ensure that the implementation of CBET takes root in the TVET institutes to address unemployment and the skills gap among the youth,” he said in a statement.
Machogu stated that the curriculum modifications would expose graduates to the necessary skills, knowledge, and aptitudes to ensure that they are best prepared to enter the labor market, rather than theory-based education.
The CS stated that the government has collaborated with enterprises and institutions to implement the Dual Training system, which ensures that students spend 50 to 70 percent of their time in industry, allowing them to obtain practical skills and exposure.
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He added that they aim to offer apprenticeships and internships to the youth in various industries to help them acquire skills, gain exposure to real work environments, and receive hands-on experience and guidance from experienced professionals.
He highlighted that, in the context of global development, the importance of technical and vocational education cannot be overemphasized and that the TVET sector plays an important role in supporting innovation in science and technology, both of which are critical components of economic growth.
The government aims to enhance educational success and equity by adopting the new system. The updated system aims to offer equal opportunities to all youth, regardless of background.
The CS exhorted graduates to embrace the spirit of innovation and creativity, noting that their education had prepared them not only to seek work but also to create possibilities for themselves and others.
“Your graduation marks not only the end of your academic journey but also the beginning of a new phase in which you must apply the knowledge and skills that you have learned,” he said, adding that their success is a call to service and a contribution to the nation’s growth.
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Dr. Muoria, for her part, emphasized the significant benefits of the dual training system, stating that this strategy not only provides our graduates with practical skills but also bridges the gap between training and industrial exposure.
The new training modality allows trainees to acquire work ethics and learn about the industry’s culture while also learning the necessary skills. Dr. Muoria said, adding that CBET is a vital driver in revolutionizing the TVET sector and increasing the production of young labor.
The Principal Secretary (PS) stated that the department has received several requests for young people to work in various countries around the world as their populations age.
“My department has put in place an industrial liaison database of all the graduates, so that when such opportunities arise, we will be in a position to assist the graduates in getting jobs in order to empower them economically,” she went on to say.
The PS applauded the institute for launching its strategic plan for the years 2023–2027, which will allow the institution to accomplish its aim of bridging the gap between academic, knowledge, and practical skills, resulting in competent graduates for an ever-changing industry.
Anne Mbogo, the institute’s chief principal, stated that the institution accepted CBET last September and began by offering 41 CBET curricula in their learning programs.
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The principal stated that the university has begun mapping out industries and partners for the dual training system, and they are going to sensitize stakeholders so that they may train students to improve their employability.
Mbogo revealed that the institution has consistently produced qualified and competently skilled graduates who work in many sectors of our country, demonstrating the trust and confidence that parents and sponsors have in the school.
She said, “Our trainers tirelessly equip trainees with the necessary skills and discipline for a holistic TVET graduate, and the institute is dedicated to bridging the gap between academics, knowledge, and practical skills.”
She stated that the institute now enrolls 5,179 trainees. Enrollment has increased dramatically over the previous four years as a result of government funding and the institution’s dedication to following its strategic plan.
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CBET and Dual Training System in TVETs to Combat Poverty and Skill Gaps
