TVETA launches Volume 5 of Kenya Journal of TVET

TVET Authority today launched the 5^th Volume of the Kenya Journal of TVET (KJ-TVET) Volume 5 at a Nairobi hotel.

The KJ-TVET is a peer-reviewed journal aimed at promoting innovations, TVET research and establishing a platform for efficient dissemination of research findings. The journal was previously a publication of the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI). The journal was acquired by the Authority in 2019 to help streamline the dissemination of research findings in TVET and today’s release is the second publication under TVETA.

The 5^th Volume of the journal focused on four sub-thematic areas; Online training: Challenges and Opportunities; Empowering the Youth through CBET, Entrepreneurship and Industrial Linkages; The Role of TVET in Reconciling Skill Supply and Demand; the Theory, Policy and Practice in TVET.

In the current issue, 65 authors sent their abstracts to be considered for publication, but only 14 meet the requirements set by the Editorial Board Members.

During the launch, the Chief Guest Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha, said in a speech read by the Director of Technical Education Mr Tom Mulati, that he has noted that most TVET institutions have embraced research and innovation in their training activities.

“Since research and innovation are valuable tools for understanding various challenges and coming up with solutions. The integration of research and innovation in TVET will provide solutions to most problems facing the local communities and the nation at large,” the CS said.

The CS said the Ministry of Education is developing a policy to guide TVET institutions on commercialization and the establishment of incubation centres. Commercialization of research findings and innovations is expected to provide solutions to common problems facing society and accelerate industrialization.

“The maintenance and dissemination of research findings in the TVET subsector has been basically fragmented. In order to mitigate this shortcoming, the Ministry of Education in collaboration with stakeholders are working on ways of developing a central TVET data repository, where data can be readily accessed by researchers and Ministerial departments and agencies for effective decision making.”

The CS challenged the Authority to focus on future emerging issues in TVET such as new approaches in TVET trainer education and continuous professional development, smart teaching and learning, labour market information, Trend analysis, sustainable TVET funding and development, TVET and blue economy, and Green TVET.

TVETA Chairperson of the Board Prof Florence Indede said the TVET Act, 2013 mandates the Authority to advise the Cabinet Secretary on all matters related to training while Section 7 (j) of the same Act mandates the Authority to collect examine and publish all information relating to training.

“These mandates cannot be achieved without reliable and accurate data obtained through a robust research framework and knowledge dissemination. The annual publication of the KJ–TVET is proof of the Authority’s commitment to address TVET reforms and serve the best interests of its clients and the nation at large. I urge all TVET institutions to enhance research and innovation by dedicating more resources as stipulated in the Science Technology and Innovations Act,” Prof Indede said.

TVETA Director-General Dr Kipkirui Langat said the active involvement of TVET institutions in research, publication of KJ–TVET and other related journals will harness the promotion of research, dissemination of the findings and eventually improve the standards of training.

“We also believe that the findings of the research papers published in this journal will greatly assist TVET stakeholders in making informed decisions that will ultimately improve the quality, relevance, access and inclusivity in training and also contribute towards building a resilient national TVET system,” he added.

The DG recognised the support of Zizi Afrique foundation through the CEO, Dr John Mugo for partnering with the Authority in the publication and launch of this Journal.

The KJ of TVET Chief Editor Prof. Bonaventure Kerre invited all TVET stakeholders and authors to read the papers in this journal and consider publishing their research work in the subsequent volumes of KJ–TVET.

“The advert on call for submission of abstracts and papers to be considered for publication in the next volume, KJ–TVET vol. 6 will be made later this month. The KJ–TVET Editorial Board and secretariat are committed to guaranteeing that only high–quality papers are published in the Journal.”

“This will help in continually improving the impact factor and visibility of KJ–TVET. It will also ensure that the findings and recommendations can be used to make accurate and reliable decisions as well as formulation of policies to improve the standards of training,” Prof Kerre added.