The government is restructuring skills training to match the needs of both local and international markets, Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime has said.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation, Mwadime revealed that 12 sector skills committees have already been formed across different industries to identify gaps and advise on curriculum changes.
“We, the government, have set up committees of the local market and the international market to see the kind of skills that are on high demand,” he said on Friday.
“It’s only right that we produce graduates who are employable after graduation,” Mwadime added.
The PS noted that the current situation, where graduates often leave universities without skills that lead to immediate employment, has pushed the government to realign training to market needs.
He explained that one priority area is the development of green skills and green jobs, which are gaining traction globally.
“One area where we need to put a lot of focus on is on green skills and green jobs, you know, that can be accessed easily, not only within our market, but also the international market,” he said.
According to Mwadime, the government is focusing on emerging industries such as electric vehicles, motorcycles, and battery technology.
He noted that Africa, being rich in minerals like cobalt and lithium, should develop its own capacity to manufacture batteries instead of relying on imports.
“Do we have capacities within, you know, electric energy is stored in batteries. You know, batteries are made of cobalt and lithium. You know, cobalt and lithium are found in Africa. Do we have the capacity to produce batteries within so that we do not import these batteries from Western European countries?” the PS asked.
He also pointed to the solar energy sector as a key area where Kenya should develop skills to reduce dependency on imports.
“Now, solar panels, we import them from Southeast Asian countries and China. Do we have the capacity to repair them whenever they break down?” he asked.
Going further, PS Mwadime disclosed that the National Industrial Training Authority, which falls under his docket, has already begun training in solar energy.
“I can tell you with confidence, one of the semi-autonomous government agencies that is under my charge, that is the National Industrial Training Authority, is already imparting skills on solar energy, how to repair solar panels, and hopefully, eventually, how to make the solar panels,” he said.
The PS concluded by stressing that by equipping young people with such skills, Kenya will be better placed to take advantage of both domestic and global opportunities in the evolving green economy.
