Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, has welcomed a dual learning model aimed at reducing unemployment among graduates of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
Speaking after a meeting at the Ministry of Labour headquarters in Nairobi, the Principal Secretary endorsed efforts to expand a dual apprenticeship programme that combines classroom instruction with structured workplace experience.
The initiative, he said, represents a practical step towards addressing the persistent challenge of post-TVET unemployment.
During discussions with Sharon Mosin-Urne, Swisscontact Kenya’s Country Director, and Project Manager Jimmy Delyon, the focus was on scaling up a demand-driven training approach accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
The model allows trainees to spend approximately 25 percent of their time in class and 75 percent in supervised industry placements.
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Mwadime noted that while enrolment in TVET institutions has increased in recent years, transition into employment remains uneven.
Benefits of dual learning
The dual system seeks to bridge that divide by ensuring students graduate not only with qualifications but also with relevant workplace experience across various industries.
The reform is part of a broader government agenda to recalibrate TVET curricula in close partnership with the private sector.
By involving employers directly in curriculum design and integrating structured apprenticeships into training, policymakers aim to ensure graduates leave with skills that reflect real market demand.
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Swisscontact, in collaboration with Don Bosco Boys Town, a leading TVET training institution, and more than 60 private sector companies, has piloted the programme across sectors such as plumbing, electrical installation, and construction.
The dual approach, which balances classroom learning with hands-on workplace experience, is designed to enhance employability and reduce the gap between graduation and meaningful employment.
Kenya rolls out dual learning
A dual learning model is an educational approach, often called dual education or cooperative training, that combines academic learning at a school with practical, paid work experience at a company.
The government of Kenya launched the National Dual Training Policy in November 2025, as an initiative designed to bridge the persistent gap between youth skills and industry demands.
According to the Ministry of Education, the policy formalizes a training model where students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will divide their time between classroom instruction and practical, hands-on experience in workplaces.
This move, approved by the Cabinet on January 21, 2025, aims to make graduates more employable and align the national workforce with the evolving needs of the economy.
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It is fantastic idea, we are eager to see the implementation and more so in healthscience industries