Kenya launches private sector-led TVET curriculum to tackle youth unemployment

The dual training model, developed in collaboration with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and industry partners, allocates 75 per cent of training to the workplace and 25 per cent to classroom instruction.

The approach embeds companies directly into the learning process, ensuring that students graduate with practical, job-ready skills aligned with labour market demands.

Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime said the initiative could make Kenya more attractive to investors by guaranteeing the availability of relevant skills.

“Now that we have the private sector-led dual system, I believe when we market Kenya out there, we will attract investors because the kind of skills they are looking for will be provided by our institutions. Kenya will therefore become a more conducive environment for investment,” he said.

TVET Principal Secretary Dr Esther Muoria described the initiative as a potential game-changer if rolled out widely, emphasizing that the private sector plays a critical role in shaping the future of skills development.

“The TVET sector has deliberately positioned the private sector at the centre of shaping the future of skills development. Government can set policies and expand institutions, but sustainable employment is ultimately created in enterprises,” said Dr Muoria.

One of the private sector–led TVET curricula was unveiled during the launch event in Nairobi.

Development partners also underscored the urgency of reforming Kenya’s workforce training systems to address the country’s growing youth employment challenge.

Mirko Giulietti, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Kenya, Eritrea, Rwanda, Somalia and Burundi, noted that youth unemployment in Kenya is estimated at between 37 and 40 per cent, underscoring the need for stronger collaboration between government and industry.

“The case for action is not abstract. For dual TVET to work at scale, the private sector must move from the margins to the centre; not as a beneficiary, not as a consultant, but as a co-owner. Policy sets the direction, but it is the private sector that builds the road,” Giulietti said.

The initiative adapts elements of the Swiss vocational training model to Kenya through collaboration with Swisscontact.

Its Country Director, Sharon Mosin, said the programme aims to bridge the long-standing gap between education and employment.

“Our education and training systems have significantly expanded access, but expansion has not always translated into relevance. Employers consistently report difficulty finding job-ready candidates, while graduates struggle to secure jobs,” she said.

“This is not because young people lack potential, but because the skills demanded by a rapidly evolving economy are not always aligned with what is being taught.”

Kenya faces a mounting youth employment challenge, with nearly one million young people entering the labour market each year. Youth aged 15 to 34 account for about 35 per cent of the country’s population.

At the same time, the country is undertaking major infrastructure expansion across sectors such as transport, housing and agriculture. However, employers say many industries still struggle to find workers with the technical skills required to fill available roles.

The curriculum was launched during the inaugural Youth Skills Development Forum (YSDF) held in Nairobi from March 5–6, 2026. The forum brought together government leaders, industry players, development partners, training institutions and young people to explore ways of accelerating private sector-led workforce development in Kenya.