President William Ruto on Thursday presided over a graduation ceremony at State House, Nairobi, where 3,750 beneficiaries were awarded certificates under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). The historic event marked a major government initiative aimed at formally certifying informal sector workers and skilled artisans across the country. This move is expected to provide official recognition to hardworking citizens who have previously been sidelined.
Addressing the graduates, President Ruto emphasized the value of practical expertise, arguing that an individual's technical capability should matter far more than academic paper credentials or English language fluency. He linked the certification drive to broader national reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework, which aims to nurture diverse talents in sciences, engineering, sports, and the arts. The President's remarks underscored the importance of recognizing every skill to ensure that no hardworking citizen is left behind.
President Ruto announced that the government is partnering with the World Bank to certify an initial cohort of 20,000 young artisans in specialized trades such as plumbing and electrical works. Furthermore, the government will independently fund and facilitate the certification of an additional 40,000 skilled workers, ensuring that hard-working youth gain official recognition for their craft. These certified skills will be directly integrated into national priority economic activities, particularly the flagship Affordable Housing Program.
The President noted that Kenya has long relied on uncertified mechanics, builders, plumbers, tailors, and carpenters who perfected their trades in garages, workshops, and construction sites through years of hands-on experience and apprenticeship. The RPL framework, anchored under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), formally incorporates those informal skills into the national certification system. This development is expected to create immediate job opportunities for skilled youth across the country.
Reflecting on the nation's economic history, President Ruto highlighted a wider cultural shift toward technical careers, revealing that enrollment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges has grown by 780,000 in 2022, with projections expected to hit 1.3 million. He emphasized that even university-admitted students are now actively choosing technical institutions due to the rising demand and value of practical expertise.
By personally hosting the ceremony at State House for the 3,750 graduates, President Ruto reiterated that his presence sent a strong signal across the nation that every practical skill counts toward building a self-supporting workforce and a prosperous Kenya. The President's commitment to recognizing prior learning is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economic growth and development.
The Recognition of Prior Learning program is a significant step towards promoting skills development and recognition in Kenya. With the government's efforts to partner with the World Bank and fund the certification of skilled workers, more Kenyans are expected to benefit from this initiative. As the country continues to implement the Competency-Based Curriculum framework, it is likely that the value of practical expertise will continue to grow.
Key points
- President Ruto champions prior learning recognition for artisans.
- 3,750 beneficiaries awarded certificates under the RPL program.
- Government partners with World Bank to certify 20,000 young artisans.
