Kenya and Namibia reform vocational training to align with industry needs

Kenya and Namibia are implementing reforms to align vocational and technical training with industry demands to reduce the skills mismatch in their labor markets.

In Kenya, the government is rolling out the Kenya National Dual Training Policy. Under this model, trainees will spend between 50 and 70 percent of their programs in workplaces to gain practical experience. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba emphasized that industry must act as an active partner in shaping skills rather than just receiving graduates. The initiative is part of a broader shift toward Competency-Based Education and Training.

In Namibia, Member of Parliament Willem Amutenya has called for an annual national industrial and skills audit to ensure training institutions enroll students based on actual economic demand. Amutenya noted that entrepreneurship alone cannot fix structural mismatches. Additionally, the Namibia Training Authority is looking to develop new qualifications in sectors such as the creative industries to better align with the job market.