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The Kenya Skills Development Community of Practice (CoP) was officially launched this morning by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Authority, marking a significant step towards addressing the persistent skills mismatch in the country.
The event was attended by key stakeholders in the education and employment sectors, with Mr. Patrick Kamenyi, the Head of Capacity Building at the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), representing MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa.
The CoP is a collaborative platform designed to unite various stakeholders, including government agencies, educational institutions, industry players, and development partners, to tackle the challenges of skills development in Kenya. Its mission is to enhance youth employability, promote lifelong learning, and drive sustainable socio-economic growth by ensuring that training programs are closely aligned with industry needs.
MSEA, a vital member of the CoP secretariat, will play a crucial role in guiding the strategic direction, implementation, and sustainability of skills development initiatives across the country. This involvement underscores MSEA’s commitment to fostering a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of Kenya’s evolving economy.
“The launch of this Community of Practice is a significant milestone in our collective efforts to bridge the skills gap that has long hampered the employability of our youth,” said Kamenyi. “By bringing together diverse stakeholders, we can develop and implement innovative solutions that will align our training programs with the actual needs of the industry.”
The CoP aims to foster the exchange of best practices, innovative solutions, and effective policies, with a particular focus on the TVET sector. This sector is seen as critical for providing the technical skills needed in key areas such as Agriculture, the MSME Economy, Housing and Settlement, Healthcare, and the Digital Superhighways and Creative Economy. These sectors are central to Kenya’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to spur inclusive growth and development.
Labour and employment are recognized as essential enablers for the success of these priority sectors, making the work of the CoP vital for the nation’s future. By addressing the skills mismatch, the CoP will contribute to creating a more competent and competitive workforce, which is essential for Kenya’s socio-economic advancement.
As the CoP begins its work, stakeholders are optimistic that this collaborative effort will lead to meaningful improvements in the country’s skills development landscape, ultimately enhancing the employability of graduates and supporting Kenya’s broader economic goals.
