The event was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Hon. Simon Chelugui, E.G.H, who was the Chief Guest. The CS during the launch noted that industrial training is a major contributor to job creation, and a key driver for economic development and realization of the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Government’s Big 4 Agenda. He called for the Kenyan youth to take advantage of the training programmes offered by NITA to enhance their skills and increase their chances of employment locally and globally.
“It is important to recognize that industry remains a big contributor for job creation, and a major driver for economic development and hence the realization of the Kenya vision 2030 and the Government’s Big 4 agenda. For this to be a reality, it is incumbent upon us to ensure availability of well skilled workers to match the demands for improved quality goods and services that meet both local and international standards. I want therefore to encourage Kenyan youth to take advantage of the training programmes offered by NITA, because irrespective of someone’s level of education, NITA has the capacity to skill them to become employable productive youths.”, stated the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Hon. Simon Chelugui in his remarks after he had supervised the Tests at the Centre.
In his remarks delivered on his behalf by the Board Director Dr, Musa Nyandusi, Board Chairman Dr. KamauGachigi stated that the successful implementation of the National Trade Tests marked an important step in demonstrating the Government of Kenya’s commitment to giving effect to the provisions of the constitution on skills development.
NITA Director General Mr. Stephen Ogenga highlighted the importance of enhancing the Trade Tests in the anticipation of a higher number of candidates in the subsequent series while emphasizing NITA’s commitment to championing the enhancement of the skills ecosystem as a key economic catalyst driven by industrial training.
The Cabinet Secretary then visited Emining Technical Training Institute where he also carried out his Supervision of the Tests at the Centre.
The Government Trade Test charts a broad roadmap for efficient quality industrial training and skills development for enhanced productivity. TheTests tap into the country’s informal economy which is a key carrier of opportunities for sustainable employment and innovation. Despite this potential many citizens in the informal economy find themselves trapped in a vicious circle of low skills, low productivity and low income. The absence of opportunities and resources for training prevents young workers from enhancing their employability to work out of poverty, and it hinders the economy’s ability to enhance technologies, productivity and development.
This represents the shared responsibility of society: parents, community, enterprises, government and social partners. Informal training/apprenticeship has been providing the traditional solution for developing and financing vocational skills of young people in poor societies. Today, apprenticeship in the informal economy represents the main road to skills development in most developing countries.
NITA conducts assessment of Government Trade Test (Grades III, II and I)as well as Proficiency and Home care examinations in the months of April, August and December. The December 2021 series covered 37(thirty seven) Trade Testable skill areas. A total of 33,974 candidates were tested from forty seven 47 Counties.The sustained push for the certification of skills is aimed at promoting sustainable socio-economic development through the development of a skilled workforce that is employable, productive, enterprising, innovative, adaptive and competitive. It fulfills the Constitutional provisions that affirm the right to equitable and accessible education and training, and employment.
The Tests further demonstrates NITA’s commitment to ensuring that the country attains a skills development system that is responsive to labour market demands in line with Kenya vision 2030 and the big four initiatives, which include: industrialization, manufacturing and agro-processing; affordable housing; food and nutrition security; and universal health coverage. The target of the tests are workers in industry who wish to be assessed on their skill level and youth who have practical exposure in fields such as electrical wiring, motor vehicle mechanics, welding, dress making, plumbing, masonry, beauty and therapy, air conditioning and refrigeration, leather work among other Trade areas.
Through accreditation and certification, NITA has continued to entrench a culture of lifelong learning, recognition of prior learning as well as the required infrastructure that can help make such continued learning and training feasible.The Recognition of Prior Learningprocess enables persons to acquire formal qualification that matches their knowledge and skills which enhances employability, mobility, lifelong learning and social inclusionthe process has the following distinct features; identifying non-formal and informal learning; collection and presentation of evidence of learning; assessment and validation of evidence and issuing a recognized certification if the claims are valid. This is particularly necessary in the wake of forth industrial revolution leading to rapid technological developments in the global labour market.
NITA will continue to champion the enhancement of the skills ecosystem as a key economic catalyst driven by industrial training aimed at improving the skills system and help raise employment, industry productivity and drive industries up the value-chains.