The Ministry of Education has announced plans to introduce foreign language training in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions as the country positions youth for opportunities in the global labour market.
Speaking during the launch of the German Language TVET Trainers Capacity Building and Examiner Qualification Programme at Kabete National Polytechnic, TVET PS Esther Muoria said language proficiency has become a critical requirement for Kenyan youth seeking employment abroad.
The programme, launched in partnership with inLEGAS Limited Company, aims to strengthen trainer capacity, improve assessment standards, and create international certification pathways within the TVET sector.
TVET Students to Learn Foreign Languages as Kenya Targets Jobs Abroad
During the event, PS Muoria emphasized that TVET institutions must focus on producing competent and industry-ready graduates rather than simply increasing the number of trainees.
“The true measure of training is not the number of graduates produced, but the competence, practical skills, and workplace readiness that enable them to be absorbed by both local and global industry,” she said.
“Language training must now be deliberately integrated into TVET as a strategic enabler of global employability.”
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The move comes as Kenya seeks to tap into growing international labour opportunities, particularly in Germany, which has allocated approximately 50,000 job opportunities to Kenyans.
The government said integrating foreign language training into TVET institutions would enhance the competitiveness of Kenyan youth in overseas labour markets while equipping them with skills required by international employers.
Current Foreign Language Training in Kenya
Foreign language training in Kenya is steadily expanding across universities, colleges, and professional institutions as demand for global employability grows.
The Kenya Institute of Foreign Languages and Professional Studies (KIFLAPS) offers structured language instruction based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), ranging from beginner level (A1) to mastery (C2).
The institution provides training in languages including Kiswahili, English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese, among others.
Kabarak University offers Chinese language training in collaboration with Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) to enhance academic, business, and cultural exchange opportunities with China.
It also offers German language courses in partnership with the Akdogan Glaszner German School, designed to equip learners with communication skills for travel, study, and work in German-speaking countries.
Also Read: List of 42 Approved TVET Institutions for Certificates and Diplomas
Similarly, Spring International Training College offers a range of language programmes tailored to both students and professionals.
These include English language training for IELTS and TOEFL preparation, French for work and travel in Francophone countries, German for employment and study in Germany, and Spanish and Chinese for international business and diplomacy.
The institution also provides Kiswahili and local dialect training for expatriates and learners interested in Kenya’s linguistic landscape.
At the same time, KIPS Technical College offers language training in English, French, German, Spanish, and Chinese, covering communication skills such as speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, and comprehension across beginner to advanced levels.
