Strengthening Kenya’s Industry-Driven Apprenticeships: National Industrial Training Authority’s (NITA) Impact

Initial vocational education and training
10.03.2025
From PropelA's inception, the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) has played a crucial role in shaping the PropelA program, ensuring that apprenticeship curricula align with national standards and industry needs. As the regulatory body for industrial training, NITA provides quality assurance, oversees curriculum development, and manages accreditation. Additionally, it facilitates the collection and reimbursement of the Training Levy Fund for PropelA’s private sector partners, reinforcing employer participation.

Recently, the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) hosted a pivotal workshop to validate the PropelA program training plan for plumbing and electrical installation. This workshop was not only a significant step in aligning the program with national industry standards but also a crucial step in ensuring the curriculum's broader adoption across Kenya’s technical training landscape.

The workshop convened NITA’s curriculum experts, PropelA trainers, subject matter experts, and private sector representatives to refine the private sector-driven curriculum. With NITA steering the discussions, participants conducted a rigorous review, strengthening each component to ensure it meets industry demands and national training standards. The process also integrated emerging industry trends, ensuring apprentices gain relevant, job-ready skills that align with Kenya’s evolving workforce needs.

This effort comes at a time when Kenya is actively strengthening its apprenticeship model to bridge the gap between training and industry demands. Traditional learning often lacks hands-on experience, but dual apprenticeship programs like PropelA are changing this. As a key partner in PropelA, NITA is leading this transformation, proving that industry-driven training equips apprentices with practical, job-ready skills. Its role remains vital in scaling such initiatives for lasting workforce impact.

Moving forward, NITA, with Swisscontact’s support, will lead the implementation of the identified updates. In the coming weeks, a dedicated team will finalize a nationally adoptable training document. By anchoring PropelA within national accreditation structures and collaborating with industry partners, NITA continues to drive the program’s success, ensuring apprentices are equipped with skills that match the evolving job market.

NITA’s curriculum experts, PropelA trainers, subject matter experts, Swisscontact staff and private sector representatives in the curriculum validation workshop
2022 - 2029
Kenya
Initial vocational education and training
PropelA Kenya – Dual Apprenticeship for Youth Employability
PropelA Kenya helps young people move from limited training opportunities and uncertain job prospects into skilled employment. It does so through an employer-driven dual apprenticeship model in which companies co-design the curriculum, host apprentices in the workplace, and recruit the graduates they have helped train. As Swisscontact’s flagship private sector engagement project, PropelA adapts the Swiss dual training approach to the Kenyan context together with leading firms such as Hilti, Geberit and Schindler.