The Eldoret National Polytechnic has secured several key international partnerships that will enable its students to acquire market-oriented skills for jobs in 36 countries.
The development comes as civil society groups, led by the Improved Action for Community Transformation (IACT), praised the college’s efforts to transform trainees from jobseekers into job creators through innovative and practical training.
Chief principal Dr Charles Koech said the institution is aligning its training programmes with international standards, including the Australian Qualifications framework.
TENP has also partnered with the Canadian Universities and Colleges (CUC) under the Young Africa Works programme to develop modularised curricula tailored to meet specific industry needs.
Additionally, the college has partnered with three Finnish institutions to strengthen its Open and Distance Education and Learning programmes.
Koech revealed that 79 students will travel to Britain for a six-month exchange programme under the Mkulima Majuu initiative.
“All these partnerships are designed to give our youth better employment opportunities locally and abroad by equipping them with market-relevant training and skills,” he said.
Koech spoke after the college hosted an expo and conference on competence, innovation, and research for sustainable development. The event was graced by Frank Mukuna, director of policy implementation and compliance at the TVET Department.
Mukuna said under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the government’s focus remains on creating more job opportunities by training youth for domestic and international labour markets.
IACT representatives Kipkorir Birgen and Benjamin Leting commended Koech for steering the institution towards academic excellence through programmes that produce graduates with practical and employable skills.
They hailed TENP’s 40-year legacy in youth training, noting it ranks among Kenya’s top 10 TVET institutions.
“It’s remarkable that TENP continues to stand out as a centre of excellence, shaping the future of our youth,” Birgen said.
The two also praised the institution’s growing list of global partnerships, which will see TENP graduates accredited and qualified for job markets in countries such as Canada, the UK, the US, Germany and Australia.
“With over 18,000 students, TENP is a beacon of hope for our youth—training them for a brighter future and equipping them with the skills to secure meaningful employment,” Birgen said.
BY MATHEWS NDANYI
