In a strategic move to align Kenya’s workforce with global apparel industry standards, the government has officially launched a Textile and Apparel Enhancement Programme within select Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
The initiative, a partnership between the State Department for TVET and Sainath Education Institute, was inaugurated at the Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf. The program aims to equip youth with modern, industry-ready skills in digital design, industrial sewing, production engineering, merchandising, and logistics—while ensuring compliance with international export protocols.
Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria, Principal Secretary at the State Department for TVET, stated, “Kenya cannot afford to train for a bygone era. The partnership we are launching today is both timely and transformative.” She highlighted the need for updated, globally relevant competencies to make Kenya’s textile workforce competitive.
Sainath will provide a dual training model that blends workplace-based learning with structured classroom instruction. With its base in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) ecosystem, the institute brings access to cutting-edge technologies and internationally benchmarked training methodologies. It is well-positioned to deliver Kenya’s modularised Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum.
The program directly supports Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030, both of which prioritise job creation, SME development, and building a skilled workforce.
Initially, the program will be piloted at three institutions that will serve as Centres of Excellence in fashion and design: Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf, Kibra TVC, and the Maasai National Polytechnic. A national rollout is planned across additional TVET institutions.
