Concerns Arise Over Certification of Prior Skills and Knowledge in Technical and Vocational Training

Since the government permitted technical and vocational training facilities to certify prior skills and knowledge, concerns have emerged regarding the management practices of these institutions. Some fear that these facilities might compromise the certification process by mandating applicants to undergo retraining at a fee.

“Let us be transparent in the way we deal with documentation and accreditation for prior knowledge to avoid unwarranted charges and compromise in how the exercise is being carried out,” said Icia, urging for honesty in the certification process.

Former Mbeere South MP, retired Colonel Geoffrey King’ang’i, has advised school leavers in the constituency to acquire technical skills from these institutions. King’ang’i lamented that many form four leavers who do not enroll in technical institutions often end up engaging in drug use, including miraa and muguka. He stressed the importance of the leadership in the constituency taking the lives of the youth seriously by encouraging and sponsoring them to study in technical institutions.

King’ang’i highlighted that the constituency hosts one of the oldest and best technical institutions, the Jeremiah Nyagah National Polytechnic. Despite offering attractive courses, the polytechnic has low enrollment rates among young people. Some of these courses cost as little as KSh5,000, yet the institution still struggles to attract school leavers.

He emphasized the need for more marketing of the courses offered by the polytechnic. King’ang’i also challenged the community to lobby for more funds from the current MP to support those enrolling in the polytechnic. He noted that technical skills currently provide the best chances for lucrative employment both locally and abroad.