August 21, 2024 – At the opening of the World Skills Kenya National Competition Final on August 19, Huawei Kenya announced a significant expansion of its support for vocational education and training. The technology giant has pledged sponsorship for the event and support for training students in five distinct tracks.
The World Skills Kenya competition, which is currently underway at the Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET), is a key event in the international skills competition arena. The national competition was inaugurated by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Julius Ogamba, and attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Kipkirui Langat, Director General of TVET Authority, Dr. Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary for the State Department of TVET, as well as representatives from the International Labour Organisation, UNESCO, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and KCB Bank.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Julius Ogamba underscored the significance of World Skills, stating, “Each participant will have the opportunity to learn from international best practices and gain invaluable insights to enrich their skills. Participants will engage in practical simulations, problem-solving exercises, and collaborative projects that highlight the transformative capabilities of their skills.”
Dr. Esther Muoria echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the growing importance of skilled labor in Kenya. “We are here, making a statement to the world that we are developing the requisite skills; the world should be here investing in Kenya because we have pools of skilled people,” she said.
Dr. Edwin Tarno, CEO of Kenya School of TVET, expressed gratitude to Huawei on behalf of the Kenyan government and TVET institutions. “Huawei’s support will help us expand our training to support the ICT sector in Kenya, including Artificial Intelligence and all aspects used in technical education,” he remarked.
During the event, Huawei formally presented a plaque to KSTVET, marking the official designation of the school as an ICT Academy Support Centre (IASC). This agreement includes Huawei’s support for KSTVET lecturers, trainers, and equipment, enabling the school to train TVET lecturers and trainers across the country. Adam Lane, Director of Government Affairs at Huawei Kenya, highlighted the impact of this partnership: “We currently work with 10 National Polytechnics and have trained 20 lecturers, who in turn have trained over 280 students. However, we believe we need to do more. Partnerships with World Skills Kenya and KSTVET will help us expand our training programs nationwide, providing critical ICT skills for youth.”
The ongoing evolution in the technological landscape necessitates continuous learning and adaptation by skilled personnel. Investing in youth through capacity-building initiatives is crucial as they represent the future workforce in various technological fields.
Last year, Huawei supported two tracks—IT Networking and Cybersecurity—and provided additional training to prepare the winner for the global final in September 2024. This year, Huawei is expanding its support to include five tracks: IT Networking, Cybersecurity, IT Software, Information Network Cabling, and Mobile Applications Development. Huawei is also contributing internet services for training facilities and providing switches and routers. Additionally, Huawei’s partnership with KSTVET as an IASC is set to grow, with new collaborations with TVETA and Konza on the Jitume Project. This expanded partnership will include not only training but also the provision of smart classroom and internet solutions to two TVET institutions in Kakamega.
This initiative underscores Huawei’s commitment to enhancing vocational education and addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in Kenya’s rapidly advancing technological sector.