Gov't rolls out textile training in TVETs to enhance youth skills
This programme is a collaborative effort between the State Department for TVET and Sainath Education Institute, launched at the Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf.
The Government has officially unveiled a new textile and apparel development initiative within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
This programme is a collaborative effort between the State Department for TVET and Sainath Education Institute, launched at the Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf.
The initiative marks a strategic shift from traditional training approaches in the apparel sector, aligning local training with dynamic global industry standards that are transforming the international textile landscape.
Speaking during the launch, Principal Secretary for the State Department for TVET, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, highlighted the programme's goal of fostering advanced, industry-specific skills across various sectors, underscoring its role in preparing learners for a competitive global market.
The program will equip trainees with a broad range of specialised skills, including digital fashion design, industrial sewing techniques, production engineering, merchandising, supply chain logistics, and adherence to international export regulations.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for TVET, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, stressed the urgency of aligning training with present and future industry needs.
"Kenya cannot afford to prepare its youth for outdated industries. This partnership is both necessary and transformative given the demands of today’s global textile market," she remarked.
Sainath Education Institute, which is partnering with the State Department for TVET in this initiative, is implementing a dual training approach. The model blends hands-on, workplace-based experience with classroom instruction.
The institution, which operates within the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) environment, has also developed its own training systems that meet international benchmarks.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies and benefits from well-established industry connections that enhance job readiness for trainees.
With its strong foundation and industry-aligned capabilities, Sainath is well-positioned to effectively implement Kenya’s modular Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum.
This collaboration aligns closely with two of the government’s key development blueprints the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030 both of which prioritise job creation, growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the cultivation of a skilled, industry-ready workforce.
The pilot phase of the program is being launched in three institutions, which are set to become centres of excellence in fashion and design training: Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf, Kibra Technical and Vocational College, and the Maasai National Polytechnic.
The initiative is expected to expand to other TVET institutions across the country in subsequent phases.
