A transformative initiative poised to uplift thousands of skilled individuals in Mombasa and across Kenya was officially launched on Monday, April 28th, 2025.
The State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) unveiled its nationwide Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program at a significant event held at the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic in Mombasa.
According to Joseph Njau the Acting Secretary of TVET this landmark program aims to formally certify the expertise of Kenyans who have acquired valuable skills through informal and non-formal training, opening doors to formal employment and enhanced opportunities.
The launch event, held at the prominent TVET institution in the coastal city, served as a dual purpose occasion, as highlighted by Mr. Joseph Njau, Speaking to attendees, he announced the commencement of a crucial workshop dedicated to training RPL practitioners.
Simultaneously, he inaugurated a regional committee that will be instrumental in guiding the effective implementation of the RPL program within the Coast region.
“We are inaugurating this workshop to train Recognition of Prior Learning practitioners, At the same time, we are launching a regional committee that will guide RPL implementation.
This program will be across the country and do far we have Mombasa, Kisumu and Nyeri and it will addresses a critical gap where highly skilled individuals, especially those in the ‘Juakali’ sector, lack certification and therefore miss out on formal employment opportunities.” stated Njau.
He underscored the long-standing disadvantage faced by numerous talented artisans in vital sectors such as construction, mechanics, and the vibrant hospitality industry, particularly prevalent in a hub like Mombasa.
Their lack of formal documentation has often been a barrier to career advancement and securing contracts, despite their proven abilities.
“Through RPL, we will assess the skills acquired outside formal education, If we find them to be of high quality, we will award official certificates that can be used for employment and contracting opportunities. He assured”
The immediate focus in the Coast region, Mr. Njau revealed, is to train approximately 100 RPL practitioners.
This initiative is being rolled out concurrently in other key regions, with similar workshops launched in Kisumu and Nyeri.
The ambitious national objective is to equip 7,000 practitioners across the country who will serve as assessors, ensuring a robust and widespread implementation of the RPL program.
“Initially, we are focusing on STEM fields — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics where much technological development is happening,” Mr. Njau elaborated, indicating a strategic prioritization of sectors crucial for Kenya’s economic growth.
Mr. Mwanzi Peter, the Regional Director of TVET, emphasized the extensive and inclusive reach of the program, particularly significant for a region like Mombasa with a large informal sector.
“Our TVET institutions are spread throughout the country, including in the villages where Juakali artisans operate, We are not only targeting artisans, but also skilled workers in industries such as hospitality, especially in regions like Mombasa.” pointed Mwanza.
Mwanzi further highlighted the potential of the RPL initiative to significantly boost the informal economy in regions like the Coast.
By providing formal recognition, the program is expected to unlock pathways to better-paying jobs, access to government contracts, and even opportunities within the burgeoning blue economy, a sector with immense potential for Mombasa and the coastal strip.
Echoing the importance of the RPL program, Geoffrey Andama, the Chief Principal of Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, emphasized the tangible impact it will have on skilled individuals.
“We know there are people who repair our fridges, lay tiles, or build houses but have no certificates to show their competencies, this initiative is not about training or examining them again it’s about recognizing, assessing, and certifying the skills they already possess.” added Andama.
He clarified the operational framework of the RPL program, explaining that all TVET institutions, vocational colleges, and training centers will serve as crucial assessment hubs.
National polytechnics, such as the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, will take on the vital role of handling the final certification process, ensuring the credibility and national recognition of the awarded credentials.
“Our goal is to give these skilled individuals the dignity and confidence they deserve when they appear before employers,” Mr. Andama concluded, underscoring the human impact of the program in empowering a significant segment of the Kenyan workforce.
This comprehensive RPL program marks a significant step towards validating the skills and contributions of Kenya’s informal sector, promising to unlock economic opportunities and provide long-deserved recognition to countless skilled individuals in Mombasa and across the nation.
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