China, the Face of Kenya’s TVET Transformation: A Blueprint for Youth Empowerment

A short video recently made waves on Instagram, showing Chinese children engaging in practical activities like sewing and roasting maize. This simple yet impactful showcase resonated deeply with many Kenyans, highlighting the emphasis China’s education system places on hands-on, practical skills. It served as a justification for why Kenya, a country grappling with youth unemployment and a growing number of graduates, should fully embrace the concept of technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

For a country like China, the most populous in the world with 1.4 billion people, it’s no surprise that the Chinese education system has been strategically tailored to equip students with market-relevant skills. These skills are not just for theoretical learning but practical application, addressing challenges like unemployment and enhancing self-reliance. The system ensures that graduates do not solely depend on government or private sector employment, but instead, they gain the necessary expertise to create their own opportunities. This approach has helped China curb unemployment and bolster entrepreneurship—a model that Kenya, under the leadership of President William Ruto, is now looking to adopt through TVET.

The China-Kenya TVET Partnership: Paving the Way for Skills Development

The ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Dakar, Senegal, marked a turning point for Sino-African relations, particularly in the field of technical education. At this forum, China pledged to offer 60,000 training opportunities to Africans over three years, with a strong emphasis on youth and women. These training programs, aimed at transferring valuable skills, are crucial for the continent’s economic growth and resilience.

Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng further emphasized that China is committed to working with Africa and UNESCO to promote the sharing of digital learning experiences, boost vocational education, and improve teaching methodologies. This collaboration reflects China’s broader vision of strengthening education across Africa by sharing its own success in managing unemployment through a skills-based education system.

China’s strategy has been multifaceted, combining tax incentives, financial policies, and a focused education system that encourages self-employment and entrepreneurship. With Kenya’s unemployment rate at 12.7% and rising numbers of university graduates, TVET institutions could hold the key to solving the country’s job market woes by equipping students with skills that are aligned with industry needs.

President William Ruto’s Vision for TVET

President William Ruto has been a staunch advocate for the adoption of TVET as a core part of Kenya’s education system. He recognized the potential of vocational education during his time as Deputy President, when TVET institutions were largely overlooked and poorly resourced. Many Kenyans viewed these institutions as second-rate, a path for those who did not meet university entry requirements. However, since Ruto began championing the cause in 2021, the narrative surrounding TVET has shifted dramatically.

TVETs are now viewed as pathways to employment and poverty alleviation, especially for young people. The government’s efforts to transform these institutions have started yielding tangible results, with over 9,000 students who were initially admitted to universities opting instead to join TVETs. This shift highlights the growing appeal of vocational education, thanks in part to China’s influence in modernizing Kenya’s TVET system.

China has been instrumental in providing technical institutions in Kenya with state-of-the-art machinery and resources, thus transforming these schools into vibrant hubs of skill development. The Kenya-China TVET project has reskilled 9,000 tutors and introduced modern equipment, which has rejuvenated youth interest in these institutions. As a result, TVET institutions are no longer seen as an afterthought, but as integral parts of Kenya’s education landscape.

How China’s Support Is Transforming TVET in Kenya

One of the most significant aspects of the Kenya-China TVET collaboration is the investment in modern equipment and the upskilling of tutors. In 2021, the Kenyan government launched a reskilling program for 9,000 TVET tutors, which was a pivotal step in revitalizing the system. This initiative, backed by China, ensured that tutors were equipped with the latest techniques and industry-relevant skills, making TVET institutions more attractive to both students and prospective employers.

In addition, China has provided approximately KSh 13 billion (US$95 million) to equip TVET institutions with cutting-edge tools and technologies. This investment is part of China’s commitment to helping Kenya realize the objectives of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the realm of technical education. The equipment upgrade has brought TVET workshops up to global industrial standards, ensuring that students receive hands-on training that is applicable in real-world settings.

Moreover, the ninth FOCAC marked another milestone in Sino-Kenyan relations. During the summit, President Ruto secured the third phase of TVET equipment upgrades, a move that underscores the success of this partnership. With the support of China, Kenya’s TVET institutions are now better positioned to deliver high-quality technical education, preparing young people for the demands of a rapidly changing job market.

The Role of TVET in Reducing Kenya’s Unemployment Rate

Kenya’s unemployment challenge is exacerbated by a mismatch between the skills imparted by educational institutions and the needs of the job market. Many graduates find themselves ill-equipped for the demands of the workplace, leading to frustration and disillusionment. This has been a key driver behind the recent anti-government protests by Generation Z, who argue that the government has failed to provide them with meaningful employment opportunities.

TVET offers a solution to this problem by bridging the skills gap. By focusing on hands-on learning and industry-relevant training, TVET institutions equip students with the practical skills they need to succeed in the job market. This reduces reliance on government or corporate employment and encourages self-employment and entrepreneurship.

China’s success in reducing unemployment through vocational education provides a valuable blueprint for Kenya. The Chinese education system has long prioritized skills development, enabling millions of people to enter the workforce with the tools they need to create their own opportunities. Kenya can learn from this model by strengthening its own TVET system and ensuring that students are trained in fields with strong market demand.

The Future of TVET in Kenya: What Needs to Be Done

To maintain the momentum generated by the Kenya-China TVET partnership, the Kenyan government must take further steps to integrate technical education into the broader national education framework. One way to achieve this is by negotiating internship opportunities for TVET students in Chinese companies, both locally and in China. These internships would provide invaluable exposure to global best practices and help students gain a deeper understanding of the industries they are training to enter.

Additionally, Kenyan TVET institutions should establish sister-school relationships with their Chinese counterparts. These partnerships could foster greater collaboration in areas like curriculum development, teacher training, and student exchange programs. They could also lead to more scholarships and opportunities for Kenyan students to pursue further education in China.

Moreover, China’s commitment to the annual training of 500 principals and teachers from vocational colleges, as well as the education of 10,000 technical personnel proficient in both Chinese and vocational skills, presents an opportunity for Kenya to deepen its human resource development efforts. By taking full advantage of these opportunities, Kenya can build a robust TVET system that will serve as a cornerstone of its economic development strategy.

Conclusion

The China-Kenya TVET partnership has laid the groundwork for a transformation in Kenya’s approach to technical education. With China’s support, Kenya is well on its way to equipping its youth with the skills they need to succeed in the modern job market. TVET offers a viable solution to Kenya’s unemployment crisis, and by continuing to strengthen this partnership, the government can ensure that young people are not only prepared for the workforce but empowered to create their own employment opportunities.

As Kenya continues to align its educational goals with its development objectives, the role of TVET will become increasingly important. With continued support from China, Kenya can realize its vision of a skilled, self-reliant workforce, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The success of this partnership serves as a testament to the potential of vocational education in driving economic growth and reducing unemployment across the continent.