Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVETs) colleges have been challenged to ensure that they involve industries and financial institutions in their exhibitions from next year in order to enable all the parties to benefit.
TVET Director Trainer Management Dr. Lawrence Guantai said TVETs can share ideas with industries, banks, Sacco’s and other institutions during TVET Fair competitions by participating in the annual event.
Speaking at Meru National Polytechnic in Meru town during the closing ceremony of the Mount Kenya East TVET Fair, Dr. Guantai said many problems can be solved when such institutions collaborate and work harmoniously.
He said all the TVETs trainees attend their attachments in industries and financial institutions where they continue to hone the skills acquired in the colleges.
Dr. Guantai noted that such a move could also lead to the implementation of dual training among the collaborating institutions.
” I challenge the organisers of the TVETs Fair to ensure industries participates from next year. Let institutions like banks and Sacco’s also be involved even if it will only be through exhibition. That is where our trainees go for attachments. Together we can work out ways of solving certain problems through ICT,” said Dr. Guantai.
He added:
“They would like to borrow some skills from us. Let them come and exchange ideas with us. We can collaborate with them through attachments by opening workshops there and implement dual training within the institutions and facilities. It is very key.”
He lauded the principals and trainers for modeling trainees to high standards witnessed during the exhibitions despite the limited resources available.
“Your work as principals and trainers matters. Keep pushing for CBET, retooling and linking your work to the real world outside.
The fair shows us what is possible when you invest in practical skills,” said Dr. Guantai.
The Director advised the trainees to embark on the next step which involves skilling through better equipments in workshops, more industry attachments and stronger recognition so that experience can counts in what they do.
Dr. Guantai challenged the trainees to use the exhibitions as a spark to build something better since they are the drivers of the economy.
“Let this not be the end but the spark to build something better. Kenyans economy needs your hands,mind and your machines.
Degrees and certificates opens doors but skills builds the nation as shown by the electricians, designers and welders during the exhibitions,” said the Director.
Dr Guantai said TVET is all about youth development, innovation and development of the workforce in the country.
He also challenged both trainers and trainees to ensure that their products comes out successfully even if they fail during the first trial.
“Ensure you design, build, test and improve. If it doesn’t work out well the first time, am advising you to improve because that is what the industry demands,” he challenged.
Dr. Guantai urged trainees to come up with products that are expected to solve the real issues in the country and the surrounding environment.
Mount Kenya East TVET Chairlady and Samburu TTI Principal Ms Lucy Mutembei attributed the success of the exhibitions of this year Mount Kenya East TVET Fair to modularization of curriculum that pays more attention to skills development as compared to paying more attention to knowledge development.
Ms Mutembei urged trainees to ensure they take to the market the skills they have learnt from the event in order to benefit.
She said the competition was fair and transparent noting that the best teams won and are set to represent the region at the national level in Wajir County during the madaraka week celebrations.
“Let the skills and innovation move beyond this place to the outside world. I attribute the success of the exhibitions to modularized curriculum that pays more attention to skills development compared to where you are paying more attention to knowledge development. Today the best teams won and will represent us at the national level in Wajir County during the madaraka week celebrations,” said Ms Mutembei.
The theme of the 2026 event was “Transforming Tomorrow Today:.
