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Exploring How Kenya Could Strike a Balance Between the Use of Labor, Technology and Sustainability to Drive the Creation of Decent Jobs: A Focus on the TVET System
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Abstract
Kenya is faced with the dual challenge of leveraging its youthful population and technological advancements while fostering economic sustainability. The evolving dynamics of global labor markets, coupled with rapid advancements in technology and an increasing demand for sustainability, presents both challenges and opportunities for the future of work. The country's economy, albeit growing, Kenya continues to grapple with high unemployment rates, particularly among its youths. The TVET system plays a critical role in bridging the skills gap and addressing labor market challenges. The complex interplay between education and training, industry demands, and technology necessitated a paradigm shift from the conventional system of training to CBET with a focus of achieving competent graduates for the labor market. This paper examines how Kenya could strike a balance between labor, technology, and sustainability to drive decent jobs through its TVET system. The objectives include examining the current state of Kenyan TVET system and its alignment with the needs of the labour market, analyzing the relationship between labour, technology, and sustainability in creating decent jobs in Kenya and assessing the impact of technology and sustainability practices on the employment prospects for youth. The study adopted a desk research design using secondary data from official government reports. Relevant literature on economic indicators such as GDP, per capita income and the youth unemployment rate in Kenya were also reviewed. The study showed that Kenya’s TVET system has made strides in aligning with labor market needs, particularly in technology and sustainable sectors. However, there still remained a need for deeper reforms to address youth unemployment, especially through enhanced curricula that emphasized green skills and digital literacy. Alignment of TVET training with industry demands and incorporating sustainability into education policies, Kenya could ensure that its youth are well-prepared for the future of work in an evolving economy. The study recommended a need for aligning TVET curricula with the demands of digital technology and green sectors. It also proposed promotion of Green Economy and Sustainability in TVET to increase job opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable sectors. The study further suggested increased industry-linked apprenticeships to improve industry-relevant training and job placement for TVET graduates as well as expanding digital literacy programs to prepare the youth for the digital economy.
PCF11 Plus: Beyond the Forum
Sub-Theme: Changing mindsets for inclusive open education
Paper ID: 7341
Country
Kenya
Region
Africa
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Date
2025-09
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Commonwealth of Learning (COL)