NITA and County Governments Forge Strategic Alliance to Transform Industrial Skills Development
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National-County collaboration deepens as NITA targets youth empowerment, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and levy compliance to build a globally competitive workforce.
Nairobi, Kenya – June 2025 — In a landmark move to strengthen Kenya’s workforce development agenda, the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) has enhanced its collaboration with County Governments through a high-level forum that brought together County Executive Committee Members (CECMs), policymakers, and key industry stakeholders.
The engagement, led by NITA Acting Director General Ms. Theresa Wasike, focused on aligning national industrial training strategies with county-level priorities. With participation from over 80% of all counties, the forum explored practical ways to improve coordination in industrial training, youth certification, and skills development through initiatives such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), NYOTA Program, and effective administration of the Industrial Training Levy.
A Stronger National-County Partnership for Skills Development
Hon. Ali Noor Aden, MBS, Chairman of the National Industrial Training Board, praised the counties’ strong representation, affirming the Board’s commitment to driving sustainability, quality assurance, and global competitiveness in industrial training.
“The turnout shows counties value training and certification as tools for economic transformation. As a Board, we are determined to build partnerships that align with our 2023–2028 Strategic Plan,” said Hon. Aden.
He outlined the critical role of the Board’s four committees—Industrial Training and Strategy, Audit and Risk Management, Finance and Levy Administration, and Human Resource—in steering policy and ensuring oversight.
Empowering Counties Through Policy and Programs
Ms. Carolyn Rutto, Chair of the Industrial Training and Strategy Committee, emphasized the importance of intergovernmental partnerships to improve training effectiveness and foster public-private collaboration.
“This forum underscores our collective resolve to transform Kenya’s industrial training ecosystem and ensure no county is left behind,” she said.
Rutto added that NITA’s evolving strategy focuses on inclusive access, especially for informal sector workers and artisans who lack formal certification.
Industrial Training Levy and County Responsibility
A key priority discussed was the Industrial Training Levy, a statutory requirement that supports national training programs. Ms. Wasike called on counties to ensure compliance by paying levies for county employees.
“We’ve asked counties to coordinate with their finance and HR departments to meet levy obligations. This is vital to sustaining training initiatives nationwide,” she noted.
NITA also encouraged counties to jointly identify training gaps, support labour mobility, and promote youth access to trade testing and certification.
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