The Government of Kenya has officially launched the National Dual Training Policy, a landmark initiative designed to bridge the persistent gap between youth skills and industry demands. Announced by the Ministry of Education, the policy formalizes a training model where students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will divide their time between classroom instruction and practical, hands-on experience in workplaces. This move, approved by the Cabinet on January 21, 2025, aims to make graduates more employable and align the national workforce with the evolving needs of the economy.

Speaking at the launch event on Wednesday, November 8, 2025 (EAT), Education Cabinet Secretary Hon. Julius Migos Ogamba stated the policy is a critical step towards building a globally competitive workforce. "Kenya is investing in a future where every young person has the skills and confidence to thrive in the job market," Ogamba said. "Dual Training brings classrooms and industry together, making training more relevant, practical, and future-focused." According to the Ministry, over 10,000 trainees are already enrolled in dual training programs across 100 TVET institutions, with the support of more than 1,500 industry partners.

A Response to a Widening Skills Mismatch

The policy directly confronts a well-documented crisis in the Kenyan labour market. A 2025 report by BrighterMondays highlighted a significant mismatch between skills taught in educational institutions and those required by employers. The report noted that while employers increasingly value digital skills, financial competence, and soft skills like communication and problem-solving, over 70% of industry players believe academic curricula lag behind market needs. This skills gap is a primary driver of high youth unemployment, with an estimated 3.5 million young Kenyans remaining idle despite holding academic qualifications.

The dual training model is designed to remedy this by embedding learners in real work environments, allowing them to use modern tools and gain practical experience before graduation. The initiative has received strong backing from international partners, including the governments of Finland and Germany, with technical cooperation from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Finnish Ambassador Ms. Riina-Riikka Heikka praised the policy, stating, "This policy sends a powerful message—that Kenya is building a TVET system that listens to industry, empowers young people, and embraces green and digital transformation."

Implementation Amid Broader Education Reforms

The launch of the dual training policy occurs as Kenya's education sector navigates the complex and often challenging implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), recently rebranded as Competency-Based Education (CBE). The CBC/CBE reform, intended to shift focus from rote memorization to practical skills, has faced significant hurdles since its rollout. Key challenges cited by educators and parents include inadequate infrastructure, gaps in teacher preparedness, the high cost of materials for parents, and a persistent digital divide between urban and rural schools.

As the pioneer CBC cohort prepares to enter Senior School in 2026, concerns remain about the readiness of institutions to handle specialized pathways and the clarity of assessment methods. While the government has hired tens of thousands of new teachers for Junior School, shortages persist, and many educators report a heavy administrative burden from the continuous assessment requirements of the new curriculum.

The success of the new Dual Training Policy will depend on overcoming similar systemic challenges. For the policy to be effective, strong and consistent collaboration between TVET institutions and a wide range of industry partners will be essential. Analysts point out that while such partnerships exist, they are often concentrated in urban areas, potentially leaving rural youth behind. Furthermore, addressing the societal stigma that has historically been attached to vocational training remains a crucial task for policymakers to ensure high enrollment in TVET programs.

This policy is part of the broader National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP) for 2023-2027, which aims to enhance access, equity, and quality across all levels of education. As Kenya pushes forward with these ambitious reforms, the focus will be on the Ministry of Education's ability to secure adequate funding, provide sustained support for teachers and trainers, and build the robust industry linkages necessary to turn policy into tangible employment opportunities for the nation's youth.