Kenyans without formal learning but have skills in various areas will soon get certification from technical institutions.
This follows ongoing plans by the government to fully implement the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative.
Stanly Maindi, the Director Technical Services at the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) says for the past one year, the program has been under piloting – and so far it is doing well.
“We started in 2019 and for the past one year, we have done piloting. The first batch of those assessed and certified has graduated and they are doing well in market,” Maindi said.
He spoke at The Eldoret National Polytechnic during the launch of a capacity-building program for those involved in the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
The five-year program is being jointly implemented by the Kenyan government in partnership wit MasterCard Foundation and a number of Canadian institutions.
According to Maindi, the initiative is meant to ensure Kenyans with skills, but lack formal education can also get certification which is important for them to secure jobs, not only locally but also internationally.
“Under this program, those Kenyans can be examined and given certificates even though they do not have formal education,” he said.
“Once somebody is assessed it means he/she has met national standards and the certificates are acceptable globally. We want to give these people employability, and give them mobility to get jobs in Kenya and outside the country,” added the KNQA Director Technical Services.
Skilled artisans
Among those targeted in the program are those working in plumbing, welding and fabrication, motor vehicle mechanics as well as tailoring and carpentry.
Once assessed, an individual can be certified either as artisan or craft – for a start.
Currently, the government has listed select institutions that will be used as assessment centres.
In the North Rift region, The Eldoret National Polytechnic has been identified as an assessment centre for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program.
“We welcome the parents in walking the journey of RPL implementation in recognizing skills of persns that have not gone through normal training. We have the capacity and already accredited as a qualification centre,” said TENP Chief Principal Charles Koech.
