• Kenya launches “Dual Training” policy combining classroom and workplace learning
• Over 10,000 trainees enrolled in 100 institutions with 1,500 partner companies
• Reform aims to reduce youth unemployment and bridge skills gap in job market
  

Kenya officially launched its national “Dual Training” policy on Thursday, November 6. The event took place at the Kiambu National Polytechnic (KINAP) in Kiambu County.

The policy, developed after years of consultation with educators and the private sector, aims to reform the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system by combining classroom learning with practical workplace experience to boost youth employability.

Adopted by Parliament in January 2025, the policy establishes a system in which students alternate between theoretical instruction at TVET centers and apprenticeships within companies. Official data show that more than 10,000 trainees are already enrolled across 100 institutions, covering 93 trades, in partnership with roughly 1,500 companies.

Based on the German model, which Kenya began piloting in 2021, the approach places hands-on experience at the heart of training and supports the transition toward a skilled, innovation-driven economy.

The program is backed by Finland and Germany through the cooperation agency GIZ, as part of the Promotion of Youth Employment and Vocational Training Project. With this initiative, the government hopes to close the skills gap between graduates and labor market needs.

“Kenya is investing in a future where every young person has the skills and confidence to thrive in the job market,” said Education Minister Julius Migos Ogamba.

The reform comes as Kenya faces the dual challenge of a rapidly expanding youth population and limited job opportunities. In 2024, the country counted nearly 20 million people aged 15 to 24, with youth unemployment hovering around 11.9% and most jobs concentrated in the informal sector.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou