At least 5, 000 artisans in the Jua Kali sector have been awarded certificates under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy.

Implementers of the policy said the government would certify 15 million skilled Kenyans in the informal sector in recognition of their contribution in filling technical gaps.

Officials from the state department of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under the Ministry of Education, said a massive certification of artisans including mechanics, tailors, welders, masons and painters among others would be rolled out.

Hundreds of trainers drawn from TVET institutions and the Jua Kali sector were trained yesterday at Eldoret National Polytechnic in readiness for the nationwide exercise.

Director of TVET Meshack Obwora said the massive certifications will be conducted in both TVET institutions and in the industry. Dr Obwora said artisans with prior learning will be offered certificates based on areas of competencies.

Some will be issued with full certification, micro accreditation or partial recognition depending on their level of competencies.

“The competencies required for certification are the same as those of individuals who have acquired training in formal institutions. The certificates will be internationally recognised,” said Dr Obwara. He added: “No technical skill is exempted from certification. You can be tested so long as you have the skill.”

Eldoret National Polytechnic Chief Principal Charles Koech said they hosted RPL practitioners from 20 TVET institutions in the North Rift.

Director of RPL delivery unit Stanley Maindi said the artisans are assessed on language and communication skills and practical competencies in workshops before receiving their certificates.

Education sector

Maindi said the education system has been locking out highly skilled individuals currently in the informal sector.

“It is part of the formalisation of the informal sector. The Kenya National Qualifications did a survey and they discovered that some of the 5,000 Kenyans who were assessed and given certificates have acquired formal jobs and others have enrolled in TVETs to sharpen their skills,” he said, adding that the certificates will enable skilled artisans to gain formal employment and contracts.

He said assessors have been trained and will be deployed to the industry to identify and assess skilled individuals in the Jua Kali sector. Trainers in Coast, Lake region and Mt Kenya, he said, have already been trained.

Maindi said prior learners are inconvenienced by lack of certification when competing for opportunities with their counterparts trained in formal institutions. Eldoret National Polytechnic is among qualification award and assessment institutions.

“Skilled Kenyans without certification can walk into any TVET institution, not for training but for assessment and can be assessed and awarded their certificate,” he added.

Regional coordinator at Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Association Richard Opar said informal sector players have been incorporated in the training.

He said the department of TVET had identified a number of Jua Kali artisans as RPL master craft trainers.