KENYA HOLDS THE SECOND NATIONAL WORLD SKILLS COMPETITION

Kenya was formally admitted to WorldSkills International as the 84th member. The announcement was made during a virtual WSI General Assembly after members unanimously voted for Kenya’s admission to the prestigious global technical and vocational competition.

WorldSkills International WSI, is a non profit membership association open to agencies or bodies which have a responsibility for promoting vocational education and training in their respective countries or regions. Over the years it has continued to provide both a benchmark for high performance and an objective way to assess vocational excellence since it was founded in 1950 in Spain.

Following the ratification, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) was designated by the government of Kenya through the ministry of Education to take responsibility for the leadership, management and daily operation of WorldSkills Kenya. TVETA is therefore the official organizational agency representing Kenya at WSI.

In August 2021, WorldSkills Kenya organized a one-week pilot Mechatronics Competition at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT). The competition, which attracted 13 TVET colleges was aimed at offering the students a learning experience ahead of the National Skills Competition. The following year, Kenya assembled a team of four students who participated in three skills areas at the WorldSkills Africa Competition held at Swakopmund in Namibia. More than 100 competitors from ten African countries competed at the event. Kenya won a gold medal in Restaurant Services and Bronze in Cooking.

This success gave WorldSkills Kenya and partners from the private sector and development partners the confidence to stage a national competition and innovation week last year. Over 100 students from our TVET institutions and universities competed in 18 skill areas that were hosted at the Kenya School of TVET (12 skill areas), Boma International Hospitality College (2), Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology (2) while the Technical University of Kenya two skill areas.

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A team of 8 winners from seven skill areas (2 competitors in the Mechatronic skill area) was selected to represent the country at the WorldSkills International Competition in Lyon, France in September 2024.
This year WorldSkills Kenya in partnership with Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutes (KATTI), the industry and development partners has organized the second national skills competition, which will run from 19th Monday -23rd August 2024 at the Kenya School of TVET, Boma International College of Hospitality and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.

The official opening ceremony of the Competition and Innovation Week will be held today 19th August 2024 at 2.00 p.m. at the Kenya School of TVET, Gigiri, Nairobi. The Chief guest of this event will be Hon. Julius Migosi Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education.

This event is expected to attract about 5,000 people. The main activities will include Skills Competition, Innovation, Exhibitions/Pitching (commercialization), Keynote addresses and panel discussions.
Around 130 competitors from 48 TVET institutions will compete in 21 skill areas at the national competition. 17 skills will be held at The Kenya School of TVET, 2 at Boma International College of Hospitality and 2 at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.
The skills areas at the Kenya School of TVET include Information Network Cabling, CNC Turning, Mobile Applications Development, IT Software Solutions for Business, Welding, Wall and Floor Tiling, Autobody Repair, Plumbing and Heating, Electronics, Electrical Installations, Bricklaying, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Fashion Technology, IT Network Systems Administration, Cyber Security and Water Technology.

Boma International Hospitality College will host Cooking and Restaurant Services while Dedan Kimathi University of Technology will host Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering CAD. However, the competition at DeKUT will be held a week later.

WorldSkills Kenya has trained 50 Experts and Judges who will adjudicate during competition on how to develop marking schemes and test projects.
The competitions in the National Skills Competition 2024 will be enriched with industry-based developed test projects. These test projects have been meticulously crafted in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that they reflect real-world challenges and requirements. By incorporating industry-based test projects, we aim to elevate the competition to new heights of authenticity and relevance.

The National Skills competition will bring together young people, industry, government and education institutions to create linkages for collaboration in skills development. The event is a national platform for promotion and recognition of skilled people through TVET and their importance in achieving economic growth. The National Skills Competition will encompass practical skill challenges, industry- standard assessments, and showcasing of interactive Innovations. Competitors will be evaluated based on their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, time management, and teamwork.
Each participant will have the opportunity to learn from international best practices and gain valuable 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. Adhering to international best practices, the competition will be conducted with utmost fairness and transparency, ensuring a level playing field for all.