PS Esther Muoria Calls for Stronger TVET–Industry Partnerships to Boost Skills Training
The parties need to cooperate so TVET graduates acquire the skills necessary to drive Kenya’s agricultural development while ensuring the nation achieves its long-term goals of food security.
𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗠𝘂𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 at the canter. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Esther Thaara Muoria, who serves as Principal Secretary of the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has emphasized that training institutions need to establish better partnerships with industry stakeholders in order to deliver training programs that meet the required skill development standards across the nation.
Consultative Meeting With Seed Sector Leaders Focuses on Skills Development in Agriculture
The Principal Secretary made the remarks during a consultative meeting with officials from the Seed Trade Association of Kenya (STAK). The session aimed at developing methods to enhance partnership between the seed industry and TVET institutions, which would improve agricultural training for students.
The discussions showed Muoria that educational institutions need to develop closer ties with business partners so they can create training programs that match actual workforce requirements. She explained that when industries actively participate in shaping training curricula and offering practical exposure, learners acquire relevant skills that they can use directly in their future workplaces.
Aligning Training With Agricultural Value Chain
The consultative session focused on advancing agricultural skill development throughout the entire value chain. The meeting allowed leaders to assess how TVET institutions should adjust their training programs to match the current requirements of the seed sector and the agricultural sector. The training will provide students with practical skills that will enable them to make substantial contributions to national food production and agricultural sustainability efforts.
Muoria stated that agriculture remains the most vital sector of the national economy because it provides employment to a large segment of the population while safeguarding the nation’s food supply. The technical training should concentrate on practical skills development for this field to teach students skills that will boost their work performance and ability to generate new ideas.
Expanding Research, Innovation and Practical Training
The meeting explored potential collaborative efforts that would support both research activities and innovative developments. Participants discussed how TVET institutions and industry stakeholders can jointly undertake research projects aimed at improving seed production, crop performance, and agricultural technologies. The Principal Secretary explained that these joint ventures will drive innovation while providing trainees with access to contemporary agricultural industry techniques.
The discussion also focused on how to create more industrial attachment and practical training opportunities for students who attend TVET programs. Muoria explained that practical experiences constitute an essential element of technical education, which enables students to demonstrate their theoretical knowledge through actual work experiences. She encouraged industry partners to create additional training opportunities that include mentorship programs for students who want to study technical and vocational subjects related to agriculture and seed production.
According to Muoria, strengthening the relationship between TVET institutions and industry stakeholders will ultimately help produce a workforce that is both skilled and responsive to the country’s development needs. The partnerships which she mentioned will deliver two advantages because they will create better job opportunities for graduates while boosting productivity within vital economic sectors.
She further restated that effective skills development systems depend on successful cooperation between government entities, educational institutions, and industry representatives. The parties need to cooperate so TVET graduates acquire the skills necessary to drive Kenya’s agricultural development while ensuring the nation achieves its long-term goals of food security.
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