Supporting Innovation in the Technical and Vocational Education Sector: Towards Productivity and Competitiveness (SITVES) was a three-year initiative fostering innovation in Kenya’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem.
What we did:
We connected Canadian colleges and institutes with technical institutions in Kenya to support innovation in priority areas identified by the Kenyan government. The partnerships capitalized on Canadian expertise in applied research to expand the capacity of Kenya institutions to carry out action-based and industry-oriented research through applied research hubs, working with start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and other private sector stakeholders.
Because of our work, TVET institutions in Kenya are better placed to contribute to innovation that supports businesses and entrepreneurs, provides economic opportunities for youth and drives socio-economy transformation.
Ultimately, a TVET system with closer ties to businesses and entrepreneurs ensures that youth receive training aligned with the needs of employers, opportunities for hands-on learning and mentorship, and skills to become entrepreneurs.
Scaling Impact across the TVET System
By helping to establish relationships that link TVET institutions to businesses and their communities, we were also able to document best practices, identify knowledge gaps, and make recommendations to scale up and institutionalize an approach to applied research within TVET in Kenya.
The ongoing relationships will ensure that the links between innovation, labor markets, skills, gender, and employment in Kenya are better understood, and TVET continue to develop in a way that prepares graduates for success.
Key Partners:
- Ministry of Education – State Department of TVET
- International Development Research Centre
- Linking Industry with Academia (LIWA)
- Kenyan national polytechnics and training
- Kenyan national polytechnics and training
