TVET Projects

The Ministry of Education through the State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with the support of the German Development Bank (KFW) has engaged AHK Services Eastern Africa to develop and implement the “D-TVET Communication and Marketing Strategy and Image Campaign”. The strategy aims to create awareness of the dual training model, create a positive image of the TVET sector, and strengthen the engagement between the private sector and the Centers of Excellence. The Communication and Marketing Strategy is part of the Kenyan-German Initiative “Promotion of Youth Employment and Vocational Training”

Deliverable/Achievements

• Development of a communication and marketing strategy for Dual TVET.
• Development of a Dual Training Project Website.
• Capacity building of Industrial Liaison Officers (ILOs) on private sector engagement.

Since 2019 the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) with support from the German government has been piloting Dual TVET in Kenya. This model combines learning at a TVET institution with industrial experience and mentorship offered through in-company training. The objective of the program is to have inclusive and labour market-relevant dual TVET programs for young women and men integrated into the Kenyan TVET system.

AHK Services Eastern Africa with the support of GIZ - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (German Corporation for International Cooperation) has provided the following services in this project:

• Training of 109 Trainers on pedagogy and didactics for both school and in-company trainers in Kenya. An additional 228 trainers will be trained in 2024.
• Company training aptitude verification and registration of Dual Training Companies.
• Support in the development of the Dual TVET policy.
• Dual TVET awareness workshop
• Development of in-company training plans for 7 professions.
• Examiner trainings and development of assessment tools.
• German Level-C Certifications.

The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa (AHK Eastern Africa) in collaboration with Goethe Institute in Kenya has been implementing a Vocational Orientation Program for High School Learners. The program consists of workshops where high school learners were introduced to the concept of Vocational Training as an alternative pathway to higher education. The learners were also introduced to the German Dual Training System, Dual Study and the vocational training opportunities available both locally and in Germany.

In addition, a 3-day job-shadowing programme at local companies in various sectors is organized for the learners. The “job-shadowing” provides a platform where the learners experience the real world of work and develop a realistic idea of their abilities and interests. Some of the companies who have provided the job-shadowing opportunity include: Krones LCS East Africa, BASF East Africa, Trademark Hotel, Rödl & Partner, Agema Analysts, Neumann Coffee Group East Africa and Bühler Group.

From the end of 2017 through 2022, with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa has implemented the 'Skills Expert Program' (SEP). This initiative primarily aims to establish enduring and effective structures for facilitating dual vocational training in Kenya.

A central aspect of the program is the active engagement of the private sector in the training process. In today's dynamic world, dual vocational training not only provides the job security sought after by many individuals but also instills confidence in companies about the skills and capabilities of their workforce.

Through the Skills Expert Program (SEP), the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa advocates for the dual TVET system as an optimal training model. This system uniquely blends on-the-job training, comprising 60 to 70 percent of the curriculum within the company, with 30 to 40 percent theoretical learning in school. Unlike traditional school-based training, this dual approach enables learners to immediately apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, fostering team integration and enhancing motivation. Such immediate application not only makes learning more enjoyable but also allows for the quick realization of tangible results in the workplace.

Through SEP the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa managed to be accredited by the Kenyan government as a 'Foreign Qualification Awarding Institution in Kenya in the TVET Sector', allowing not only to conduct examinations according to the German examination regulations, but also enabling successful participants to obtain the German qualification in Sector B and automatically the Kenyan 'Diploma' qualification as well.

Achievements (All the below projects are still ongoing even after the end of the project)

• Introduction of Dual Training German Level B Course in Hospitality in Nairobi, Diani and Mombasa. Partner schools include Kibondeni College in Nairobi and Marianist Technical Institute in Mombasa and Diani.
• Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), United States International University (USIU) together with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa (AHK) introduced the first Dual Vocational Training for Pharmaceutical Production Technicians. The objective of the program is to train Pharma operators by combining technical skills with theoretical knowledge about materials, processes, machine technology and other pharmaceutical insights.
• Shoe Manufacturing Training in Josef Seibel Africa Ltd., Ukunda, through the support of the BMWK`s Skills Expert Project, played a pivotal role in translating and adapting the curriculum into English, aligning it with the Kenyan Vocational Training System, and securing accreditation from the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA). 15 trainees were certified with German C-Certificates in "Shoe Manufacturer – Basic,"

Achievements of the Skills Expert Program (SEP)

Note: All the following projects are ongoing, even beyond the completion of the main program.

1. Dual Training in Hospitality: Launched German Level B Dual Training courses in Hospitality in Nairobi, Diani, and Mombasa. Key partner schools include Kibondeni College in Nairobi and Marianist Technical Institute in Mombasa and Diani.
2. Pharmaceutical Production Technician Training: In collaboration with Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and United States International University (USIU), the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa introduced a pioneering Dual Vocational Training program for Pharmaceutical Production Technicians. This program aims to blend technical skills with theoretical knowledge in materials, processes, machine technology, and pharmaceutical studies to train proficient Pharma operators.
3. The SEP's Shoe Manufacturing Training initiative at Josef Seibel Africa Ltd. in Ukunda was instrumental in elevating vocational training standards. This initiative involved a comprehensive effort to translate and adapt the shoe manufacturing curriculum to Kenyan standards. It successfully aligned the training with the Kenyan Vocational Training System, achieving a critical milestone. Additionally, this effort led to the program's accreditation by both the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA). As a significant achievement, 15 trainees were awarded German C-Certificates in 'Shoe Manufacturer – Basic.