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The involvement of local stakeholders especially the private companies is key to define the skills apprentices need to acquire and provide them with the opportunity to put into practice what they have learnt in the classrooms.
“This project arrives at a very timely manner in Kenya. It fits very well with the situation that the country is experiencing because it brings concrete solutions to current difficulties."
Valentin Zellweger,
Swiss Ambassador to Kenya
“The project hopes to learn and adopt best practices from the successful and well-tested Swiss dual training model. The model will not be fully replicated but adopted to best suit vocational training to the Kenyan context and build on the existing to ensure continuation and replication,” said Mr. Anirban Bhowmik, Swisscontact Regional Director in Central, East and Southern Africa (watch this video to learn more).
Initially, the project will support Kenyan companies to implement the system in two trades - plumbing and electrical installation.
In 2017, the Kenya Federation of Master Builders (KFMB) put the number of trained plumbers, painters and masons at less than 2,000 compared to 5,000 engineers and architects countrywide, highlighting a general shortage of skilled artisans in the construction industry.
“Our key principle is help for self-help. We are not a financial donor; we invest in empowering people, enabling people so they can become active and lead a self-determined life. We believe that sustainability can only be achieved through systemic change.”
Werner Wallner, CEO Hilti Foundation
Kenya has a large youthful population of approximately 60% aged between 18 and 35 years. With its dynamic private sector, growing middle class and rising entrepreneurial engagements, the demand for houses, business centres and infrastructure is constantly growing.
Through its Big Four agenda, the Kenyan government has been working to ensure accessible and affordable housing for its citizens. However, the production of housing units is currently below target leading to a current housing deficit of over 2 million units, with nearly 61% of urban households living in slums.
Despite the construction sector being among the fastest growing and contributing substantially to the GDP, there is a clear gap between the current expansion witnessed in the industry and the availability of qualified skilled workers.
A feasibility study recently conducted indicated a substantial skills gap in plumbing, welding and electrical installations. Many construction companies testify that a major challenge they face is the shortage of skilled labour.
"Apart from providing a solution to youth unemployment, quality apprenticeships can benefit job seekers and youth of all ages who due to changes in the labour market or job requirements find themselves in need of retraining or upskilling."
William Mwanza, National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Director for Industrial Training
Daily dues for certified workers have increased by over 300% from about CHF 8 in 2012 to about CHF 30 today. Artisans operating in major towns charge even more. The ratio of labour to building costs has also increased to over 25%.
The dual programme will be developed in continuous consultation and collaboration with the employers, existing training institutions and public agencies. Industry associations will be closely involved and disseminate the experiences of the early adopters to other businesses across the industry.
In the long term, private companies will improve their productivity and profitability since the trained apprentices will have acquired market-relevant skills and will be able to deliver quality work in time and reduce wastage.
Recruitment costs will also be reduced due to the pipeline talent and business competitiveness will improve thanks to the availability of fresh and innovative ideas. Apprentices who may not be absorbed by the private sector still have a chance of succeeding in entrepreneurship which is a great step in reducing youth unemployment in the country.
“Once the proof of concept is achieved, we hope that the project will contribute to the development of a Kenyan model for apprenticeship training, which will be valued by both the private sector and the government and full ownership and responsibility obtained,” said Mr. Ehasanul Huq, the Project Manager.
Presently, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system in Kenya is undergoing major reforms and an apprenticeship framework has recently been adopted but not as yet implemented.
Picture 1, from left to right: Anirban Bhowmik, Swisscontact Regional Director in Central, East and Southern Africa; Valentin Zellweger, Swiss Ambassador to Kenya; Werner Wallner, CEO Hilti Foundation
Picture 2: Ehasanul Huq, Swisscontact Project Manager
Picture 3: Attendees of the launch event
Picture 4, from left to right: Werner Wallner, CEO Hilti Foundation; Valentin Zellweger, Swiss Ambassador to Kenya; William Mwanza, National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Director for Industrial Training; Anirban Bhowmik, Swisscontact Regional Director in Central, East and Southern Africa
This project is financed by the Hilti Foundation. As part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, it is co-financed by SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA).
