Pomp, color as South Rift hold first inaugural TVET fair

BY ERICK MARANGA

Technical Training Institutions drawn from South Rift converged at Silbwet Stadium in Bomet County for a two-day colourful event graced by leaders, education officials, trainers, and trainees.

The two-day event, organized by Kenya Association Technical Training Institutions (KATTI), brought together innovators to showcase their projects under the theme TVET for Economic Development: The Role of Science, Technology, and Innovations for Economic Resilience.

Over 20 Technical Training Institutions drawn from the five counties that make up South Rift participated in the competitions. The counties that were represented include Nandi, Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, and Narok, which competed in 12 categories in the innovation, Research Paper, Robotics, and Skills contest.

The competition attracted 450 participants who were supervised by over 200 supervisors, and it was the first ever to take place in South Rift after the Rift Valley was split into two regions, South and North Rift, respectively.

Speaking during the closing of the ceremony, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, the Chief Guest, noted that the event came at the right time when the country is grappling with a high rate of unemployment, occasioned by the high numbers of graduates being churned out annually from higher learning institutions. 

“Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, but the talent and skills showcased in this exhibition offer a bright future by providing our graduates with industry-relevant skills that will empower them to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the economy," he stated.

Governor Barchok said collaboration between TVET institutions and the county government, among other stakeholders, is crucial in developing industry-driven courses that meet the needs of the market.

“Through innovation and entrepreneurship, we can create solutions to the challenges facing various sectors of our economy, paving the way for sustainable economic growth,"  he stated.

The county boss said that with the implementation of the 100 percent transition of students to high school and the introduction of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), TVET is now at the forefront of education reforms.

“No longer seen as a second choice, TVET offers a viable path for success, with students increasingly choosing TVET institutions over traditional university programs”, he said. 

According to Governor Barchok, 100 students were able to get attachment in global job market and this year the TVETs are expected to send over 700 trainees and the number is expected increase as from next year. KATTI South Rift Chairman, who is also the Principal for Rift Valley National Polytechnic Mr. Sammy Chemoiwa noted that TVETs have embraced the ethos of Competency -Based Education and Training, which certifies trainees in areas they are only good at.

“This concerted effort ensures that our graduates are not only well-prepared but also equipped with the requisite skills in their chosen fields,” he noted.

Mr. Chemoiwa said that through such exhibitions, innovators get exposure, get to learn from one another, and, more importantly, gain more skills, which will enable them to compete both locally and internationally. 

He urged the innovators to keep inventing new ideas to enable them to compete in the global skills competitions, which he said are usually dominated by Western and Middle Middle-East countries.

Mr. Chemoiwa noted that Kenya had an opportunity to send an innovator to attend continental competitions, and he emerged third in the startup Africa Olympiad 2023 Competitions held in Accra, Ghana. 

Mark Kiplel from Rift Valley National Polytechnic showcased the handwork of LEL’s incubators, modals using locally available materials, both electric and solar, to maximize hatching rates. The incubator has a 40-egg capacity and is meant for small scale farmers.

The student won a bronze seed capital worth 1,000 US Dollars. Mr. Chemoiwa revealed that this year, the TVETs from Kenya will compete in the global skills competitions later this year in France.

“We are going to send our first representatives to the world competitions in September. We will be represented by 10 representatives," he said. Mr. 

Chemoiwa stated at the same time that Kenya is fully recognized internationally and had an opportunity to be recognized by World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics, whereby three colleges were awarded. Mr. Chemoiwa stated that the CBET courses being offered in TVETs do not only target the opportunities in Kenya but also the global job market.

He noted that currently, students from TVETs are undertaking their respective internships in the UK, Canada, and China, among other foreign countries.

TVETs in Kenya are currently offering Germany program to equip the trainees with skills and knowledge to work in Germany.

This comes at a time when the TVETs are also gearing up for National TVET Fair, which will take place in Nakuru County. KATTI Research and Pomp, Color, as South Rift hold first inaugural TVET fair South Rift KATTI Chair Sammy Chemoiwa South Rift TVET fair officials in a group photo during a press conference. 

Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok (middle), flanked by TVET Fair officials, is cutting the cake to close the exhibition SOT TTI Trainers received a certificate from Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok after emerging as the top innovators.

Rift Valley National Polytechnic Students take guests through their innovation during TVET Fair at Silbwet Stadium, BOMET COUNTY