SPEECH DELIVERED BY DIRECTOR GENERAL DR KIPKIRUI LANGAT DURING A SPECIAL KENAPCO MEETING HELD AT KICC ON 17 TH JULY, 2015. The Chairman KENAPCO , KENAPCO OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS Invited Guests Ladies and Gentlemen Mr. Chairman It is a great honour for me to be invited by your organization to grace this very important special general meeting today. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Authority has consistently articulated its commitment to TVET as contained in the national policy on education and training because of the prospects of poverty eradication, job creation, and sustainable development, all leading to achievement of Vision 2030. The Vision 2030 has placed new demands on Technical & Vocational E d u c a t i o n a n d Training (TVET) as a leading engine that the economy must essentially rely upon to produce adequate levels of middle level work force that will be needed to drive the economy to- wards the attainment of the vision. TVET institutions offer opportunity for many young people to gain technical skills both for self and formal employment. Ladies and Gentlemen, TVET therefore is a specialized system of and training education designed to empower trainees through the development of their technical skills, human abilities, cognitive understanding, attitudes and work habits in order to prepare them adequately for the world of work or position them practically for selfemployment after graduation. It is along this line that a policy framework on Competency Based Education and Training is being developed to enable graduates from middle level colleges be globally competitive as they will have acquired relevant practical skills upon graduation. Ladies and Gentlemen, According to the sessional paper no. 14 of 2012 on reforming education and training sector in Kenya, has been demarcated into three levels that include basic, tertiary and university. Each level has a regulator for purposes of maintenance of standards and ensuring quality education and training. For the TVET sub sector, quality TVET programmes guarantee a strong link between skills learnt and the needs of the labour market, by producing graduates with superior employability. The Authority will therefore endeavour as a regulator in this sub sector ensure harmonization and coordination of programs, by standardizing the quality and relevance of training in TVET institutions. This will be achieved through development of standards and regulations so as to guarantee a minimum quality for TVET and develop policies, plans and guidelines for the rebranded TVET, license, register and accredit all TVET institutions. The regulations are going through the due process of gazettement after having been approved by the stakeholders in a workshop held in February this year. Once the process is done, the Authority shall enforce them to mitigate challenges facing quality and relevance training in TVET institutions which include, institutions issuing internal certificate, use of unqualified trainers and inferior infrastructure that cannot support CBET system that we are building structures on. Ladies and Gentlemen, In January this year, the Authority put up an advert advising TVET institutions to apply for registration and licensing in accordance with the TVET Act, 2013. The period given within which institutions were asked to submit the application has come to an end. For those that have applied, assessment for accreditation is ongoing particularly in Nairobi region. The assessment of institutions outside Nairobi will commence in September, 2015. It is important that those not applied yet need to do so immediately as the Authority will soon be carrying out compliance enforcement in accordace with the TVET Act, 2013. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is therefore important to note that for purposes of assuring standards, quality and relevance in training institutions, the policies shall be used for governing the establishment and accreditation of training institutions in accordance with the TVET Act, 2013. The law requires therefore that the Board in consultation with stakeholders establish guidelines to regulate this subsector of education and training. On collaborations with foreign training institutions particularly with the intention of offering a degree program, I wish to emphasize that local tertiary institutions have to consult Commission for University Education for guidance. In addition, institutions that offer training programmes examined by a foreign examination body need to notify them to seek accreditation first with the Authority. This is so because it is important to vet these foreign examining bodies and regulate them accordingly. To maintain standards, quality and relevance, the management of TVET institutions are expected in accordance with the Act, to submit comprehensive annual returns to the Authority and establish and strengthen internal quality assurance mechanisms within them. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is important therefore as investors and as you partner with the Government in this subsector, we inculcate into our youth the national values and principles that will lead to nation building and social development. This will assist in fighting vices such as radicalization, alcohol, drug and substance abuse. This will enable them acquire relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes gained in the right way and be productive. Ladies and Gentlemen, As I conclude my remarks, I wish to caution TVET institutions across the country that in executing their mandate they need to carefully balance students’ enrolment, to the staff and facilities available to avoid outstretching any of these critical resources. While acknowledging that expansion is one way through which we can increase access in TVET institutions, quality must never be compromised. Institutions operating without registration and licensing will be closed down and any college offering training must not compromise on quality and relevance which must be in line with TVETA regulations, standards and guidelines. I wish you all the best as you endeavour to join the world of work and self employment God bless you Thank you