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Innovative Skillsticks: A SKITWALL Case Study at Nakuru Training Institute
Abstract
[POSTER] Youth unemployment in Africa demands innovative, accessible, and cost-effective solutions for skills development. The Skills in TVET without Walls (SKITWALL) project, led by Nakuru Training Institute (NTI) with support from AUDA-NEPAD, addresses this challenge through Skillsticks-portable, offline learning tools that enhance competency-based education and training (CBET). This poster explains how skitwall worked in Nakuru, Kenya, focusing on marginalized youth. Skillsticks provide structured, job-relevant training without internet dependency, reducing barriers in low-infrastructure areas. Preloaded with course materials and formative assessments, they enable flexible learning, supplemented by weekly instructor-led practical sessions to ensure hands-on, industry-aligned training. Internal formative assessments were conducted by NTI, while summative evaluations were administered by the National Industrial Training Authority. In January 2025, beneficiaries participated in an intensive boot camp at NTI, refining skills through collaborative, real-world scenarios. Of the 42 trainees, 64% were female and 36% male, reflecting a commitment to inclusive upskilling. The initiative demonstrated significant success: beneficiaries acquired measurable competencies, exhibited heightened confidence, and achieved certification through formative and summative assessments. In April 2025, 211 sat for Kenya national examinations, where 96% passed, 2% were absent and only 2% failed. Preliminary findings reveal enhanced skill acquisition, engagement, and employability, underscoring the model's scalability and alignment with global goals for inclusive education. The use of Skillsticks illustrates how blended digital-practical learning can innovatively bridge skills gaps particulary for marginalized women, offering a replicable framework for empowering underserved youth in evolving labor markets.
PCF11 Sub-Theme: Gender, Technology and Innovation in Open Education
Paper ID: 4523
Country
Kenya
Region
Africa
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POSTER - PDF
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Date
2025-09
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Publisher
Commonwealth of Learning (COL)