The Nyeri National Polytechnic (NNP) is currently hosting a cohort of 30 trainers drawn from various Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Mt Kenya East and West regions.

The trainers are undergoing a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) training programme, a national initiative aimed at equipping educators with the necessary skills to certify learners based on their existing technical competencies.

Speaking to AVDelta News , NNP Chief Principal David Mwangi said the training is in line with a directive from the Office of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, which seeks to enhance the reach and effectiveness of technical training in Kenya.

As part of the event, NNP is signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the trainers and issuing them with certificates to formalise their capacity to assess and certify learners.

Dr Mwangi emphasized that the polytechnic is playing a pivotal role in empowering smaller institutions by offering them an opportunity to scale up their training efforts.

“We are opening doors for smaller institutions that will now serve as key players in the dissemination of technical skills in the region. This initiative is about empowering them to become practitioner-trainers, so they can further pass on these skills to their learners,” Dr Mwangi said.

The trainers, having completed the RPL programme, will not only support training within their own institutions, but also contribute significantly to the national development agenda.

They will be instrumental in certifying skilled workers, especially those involved in major government projects such as the Affordable Housing Programme.

“We are encouraging as many institutions and individuals as possible to be part of this ambitious training model,” Dr Mwangi added. “Through our RPL system, we issue certificates every three months. So, if a learner trains here for a full year, they can earn up to three certificates, validating their skills across different disciplines.”

Currently, Kenya boasts 223 technical training institutions and 24 national polytechnics.

The government has prioritized the TVET sector as a catalyst for economic transformation, urging the youth to take full advantage of the training and certification opportunities available.

President William Ruto recently reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through vocational training.

“I want to tell TVET students across the country that, within the framework of the development plan we are implementing, there are opportunities in every sector. These opportunities--both local and international--are designed for them to play their rightful role in driving the economy of our country,” President Ruto stated.

The RPL initiative reflects a broader push to recognize informal skills and integrate them into the formal economy.

Many Kenyans have acquired technical competencies through hands-on experience, and the government, through institutions like NNP, is providing pathways to certify these skills and boost employability.

As the country seeks to bridge the skills gap and align its workforce with the demands of the job market, the role of TVET institutions continues to grow in importance.

The RPL programme is not only a milestone in the professional development of trainers but also a strategic move to ensure inclusive access to education and certification for all Kenyans.

With more institutions set to join the initiative, NNP is positioning itself as a regional hub for technical excellence and a model for partnerships aimed at enhancing workforce development.