National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has thrown his support behind fresh efforts to strengthen Kenya’s technical training sector, citing the need for a modern and standardised system capable of producing a competitive workforce.
His position follows a meeting with principals from a range of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions who urged Parliament to prioritise legislation aimed at improving the status and welfare of trainers.
During the engagement at Parliament Buildings, the principals, under the Kenya Association of Technical Trainers, asked the Speaker to support expedited consideration of the Technical and Vocational Trainers Service Council Bill.
The proposed law seeks to create a regulatory body that will guide trainer development, streamline human resource procedures, and establish uniform professional standards nationwide.
They argued that gaps in the current framework have resulted in inconsistencies in training quality and limited recognition for TVET instructors.
Wetang’ula acknowledged the concerns and stressed that the country’s long-term industrial ambitions require a skilled and adaptable workforce.
He noted that many global economies achieved rapid growth by investing heavily in vocational expertise and linking training to industry needs.
According to the Speaker, professionalising the trainer cadre is a key step toward strengthening technical education and aligning it with Kenya’s economic priorities.
In his statement, Wetang’ula encouraged the principals to contribute proposals that would help harmonise curricula across institutions.
He said a shared framework would help eliminate disparities that often affect student competence and make it easier for employers to assess skill levels.
“A focus on applied skills rather than purely theoretical knowledge is essential for economic revitalisation,” he told the delegation.
Kenya’s TVET system has undergone reforms over the past decade, particularly after the introduction of competency-based training intended to shift learning toward practical abilities.
However, stakeholders have often pointed to inadequate funding, trainer shortages, and uneven curriculum implementation as obstacles to achieving a cohesive national approach.
The pending bill represents the latest attempt to address these systemic issues and build a more structured environment for trainers.
The principals and the Speaker agreed to maintain consultations as Parliament continues reviewing education-related legislation.