The private sector is important in training for the construction industry

Every other week, Xyverian Chuma’s motorcycle travels across western Kenya, traveling between construction sites in Kitale, Kisumu and Kisii, up to 100 kilometers apart. The demand for qualified plumbers in these areas is enormous, but the supply remains woefully inadequate.

Chuma, a private contractor, began his plumbing career as an apprentice at Allied Plumbers. Founded in 1963, this family-owned company has grown into an international installation company operating in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, winning numerous awards for industry excellence.

Chuma is among hundreds of skilled workers who have completed job training and passed professional plumbing exams. However, this process is not fast enough to meet the national demand for skilled labor. Despite the emphasis on practical skills in the 8-4-4 education system, school leavers have historically been steered towards university degrees, neglecting vocational and technical education.

In response, technical and vocational colleges have evolved into constituent colleges of universities or stand-alone universities, without replacing them in their previous training roles. This led to an oversupply of graduates who struggled to find jobs, while the private sector, especially the construction industry, faced a serious shortage of skilled workers. Companies experienced reduced profitability, lower productivity and poorer quality of work.

To address this problem, the private sector has begun offering on-the-job training. However, this approach was often insufficient to address the systemic nationwide skills deficit. A shift in official education policy to support technical and vocational education and training (TVET) has led to initiatives to develop a highly skilled workforce in construction, driving wider economic prosperity.

These efforts are most effective when complemented by the active involvement of the private sector.

Countries where Dual TVET programs have been successful, such as Switzerland, engage the private sector in the design and delivery of vocational training. The private sector, a key factor in the country’s economic success, plays a significant role in job training, producing a well-skilled workforce and maintaining a low youth unemployment rate.

My involvement with Swisscontact’s PropelA dual apprenticeship program, launched in Kenya in 2022, has highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering effective TVET programs. Industry participation, together with National Industrial Training Authority (Nita) accrediting companies, tailors the curriculum to industry needs, taking into account both current and future requirements.

By enabling apprentices and their trainers to work real-worldly in 35 companies in Nairobi, our aim is to replicate the Swiss model, bridging the gap between classroom teaching and practical training. The program is structured around three weeks of on-the-job training and one week of vocational training over an 18-month period. Training participants acquire the necessary technical skills in the installation of electrical and plumbing installations.

A robust Dual TVET system benefits all stakeholders. Companies gain access to a qualified workforce, training institutions provide their trainers and trainees with real work experience, and aspiring entrepreneurs gain the necessary skills and self-confidence. Young people gain employment and income opportunities, and industry gains a general improvement in quality.

A collaborative approach between government, the private sector and TVET institutions can achieve the long-term goal of skills training, providing decent jobs that empower young people to control their future. This will lead to a more productive, efficient and competitive economy. Continued investment by government and educational institutions in high-quality TVET programs, combined with the active involvement of the private sector, can bridge Kenya’s skills gap and create the workforce of the future.