KNCCI aims to establish a German-style Smart School to align Kenya’s vocational and technical education with internationally recognized German standards. This initiative will address Kenya’s workforce needs by creating a Centre of Excellence that fosters practical skills development and prepares youth for both local and international labor markets, particularly in Europe.

This afternoon, the Chamber President Dr Erick Rutto met with Madame Sule Akarsu Christiani Int. Sub Saharan Africa and Central Asia Representative, Ms Gatwiri Kithinji Kenya Representative   to explore potential partnership and collaboration in vocational training.  In attendance was Director Cynthia Nyawira and Partnerships Lead Ruth Ouma.

Christiani International, a Germany-based institution and a key partner in this initiative, will lead the creation and equipping of Smart Labs, which will model practical industry solutions for students and professionals. These labs will serve as training grounds for students, replicating real-world industrial environments and utilizing cutting-edge technology from Germany.

Key Highlights

  • Establish a Centre of Excellence: Create a world-class vocational school based on the German dual education system to ensure Kenyan workers meet the skill demands of both local industries and international markets.
  • High-class and practice-oriented training and further training in the fields of *automation technology and electronics, mechanics, automotive technology, sanitation technology, renewable energies, physics, and coding & robotics.
  • Smart Lab Development: Equip the Smart School with state-of-the-art Smart Labs that simulate real industrial environments and provide hands-on experience using Christiani International’s technology.
  • International Labor Certification: Ensure that graduates receive European-standard certifications, making them eligible for employment across Europe.
  • Support Labor Migration: Equip Kenyan youth with skills aligned with the Germany-Kenya labor migration agreement, allowing them to access job opportunities in Germany and the broader European market.

Anticipated Benefits

  • Job Creation and Youth Empowerment: The Smart School will create thousands of skilled jobs, enabling Kenyan youth to access local and international employment opportunities.
  • Industry Readiness: The hands-on training provided in the Smart Labs will ensure that graduates are ready to meet the needs of local industries and major international employers.
  • Cost-Effective Training: The digitization of training content, using pre-existing German e-learning systems, will reduce the overall cost of setting up educational infrastructure.

The Chamber President reiterated that Christiani Int. would be a strategic partner for industries TVET colleges, universities, small and medium-sized companies as well as corporations for their vocational and further training.