Among the intervention measures the government has taken involves a cross-section of existing TIVET institutions and provision of a new technical training institute to each of the country’s eight administrative provinces. The objectives of this initiative is to create industrial incubators in order to inspire and enable TIVET graduates to set up small innovative growth oriented business enterprises for self-employment and enhance transfer of technology for industrial development. To enhance transition from primary to TIVET, the government has set the objective of school leavers accessing TIVET programmes through improved infrastructure and training.

An EAEI survey shows that the government is setting out to revise technical, industrial and vocational education and training (TIVET) so that it reflects the needs of industry and the labour market and also promote partnerships with the private sector and development partners. The government is expected to continually undertake research to deepen understanding of issues on the sector and in compliance with the new constitution, play the role of regulator, rather than the actual provider of the training itself. The government seeks to integrate students into the work force and expose them to a range of skills and experiences and to establish more linkages between TIVET and other sectors. To boost enrolment into the TIVET institutions the government must address the negativity, culture and image associated with TIVET.

TIVET programmes must be invented to further develop students’ practical skills and attitudes leading to creation of income generating activities for self and others, or self employment in the urban and rural areas. TIVET practical education and training skills produce students that are responsive and relevant to Kenya’s agricultural, industrial, commercial and economic needs. Moreover, the programmes should equip the students with technical knowledge and vocational skills for the required human resources at the middle level.

The ultimate aims of the technical training at informal and non-formal post primary and post secondary levels are to engender self-employment competencies and attitudes while at the same time producing skilled artisans, technicians and technologists, also to provide the technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary to enhance the pace of national development.

Over time TIVET has engaged in the production of skilled operatives, artisans, technicians and technologists prepared to enter the world of work with confidence for either salaried employment or self employment in both formal and non-formal sectors. TIVET graduates provide the technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary to enhance the pace of national development.

We see TIVET graduates are more visible in every department of this country’s economy operating either as craftsmen/women or perform middle supervisory functions. Since the courses offered by TIVET institutions are market oriented, demand-driven, competency based, flexible and allow for horizontal and vertical mobility you can hardly find an employed graduated.

Titles associated with TIVET graduates Operative has narrow range but useful skills. Functions of an operative require performance of routine job tasks with minimal judgement. Operatives perform under simple instructions with little room for modifications. The focus is on a narrow occupational area. Artisan is a skilled operator with thorough and appropriate knowledge of trade techniques and tools which he/she needs in order to do a job efficiently. The duties of the artisan involve hands-on operations whose individual range of skills are similar to those of an operative but with a higher level of efficiency and understanding. Crafts person is a skilled operator with the ability to do a job and/or apply manipulative skills at a specified level of efficiency to meet existing/specified and consistent standards. The craftsman work normally involves the dexterous use of hands, tools, machines and materials and application of appropriate techniques and procedures to produce desired results or products. Decision making is directly related to determination of suitability of work procedures, as they affect the job at hand. Technician is a skilled person who has the ability to perform a wide range of job tasks at a high level of competence. The technician requires mental skills to solve problems, understand the work process and also to direct the job activities of other workers of the lower level categories. Technologist is a competent worker who normally performs a wide range of technical operations at a high level of competence and usually possesses the mental skills to design systems/processes and to translate theories of other professionals into practical economic actions at the work place. Advanced technologist is a worker who has the mental skills to define a problem, synthesize the information at hand, design alternative solutions, select and develop the best alternative solution to the problem. This is a post technologist graduate expected to develop and apply analytical skills.