The government is set to issue over 15 million certificates to skilled artisans across the country under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, which is being implemented primarily through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) colleges.
RPL director Stanley Maindi announced the initiative during a training session for RPL trainers held at the Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP). He noted that the country is home to a vast number of skilled workers, particularly in the informal Jua Kali sector, who lack formal certification. This has limited their ability to advance professionally and access better employment opportunities.
“We have a huge population of youth who are highly skilled but unrecognised. Through the RPL programme, we aim to assess and certify them so they can benefit fully from their talents,” Maindi said. He added that so far, more than 5,100 artisans have been assessed and certified, with a target of reaching an additional 700,000 by the end of the year.
The initiative is aligned with the government’s bottom-up economic model, which seeks to uplift individuals operating in the lower segments of the economy. Certification will allow artisans to qualify for more contracts and access training to further develop their skills.
Maindi stated that over 240 Tvet institutions will serve as assessment centres where artisans can walk in and undergo evaluation. The government is also working with the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali to identify skilled workers for assessment. Additionally, the RPL programme includes workplace assessments and the training of more than 7,000 Tvet tutors nationwide.
TENP, an RPL certification centre, is playing a key role in the implementation of the programme. Chief principal Dr. Charles Koech reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting the initiative and reaching as many artisans as possible in the region.
“This is a transformative programme, and we are grateful for the government’s support. We are dedicated to ensuring our youth benefit fully,” Dr. Koech said.
Maindi emphasized that the certification offered under the RPL programme is equal in value to that issued through formal education pathways, underscoring the government’s recognition of skills acquired outside traditional classrooms.
