County Vocational Training Centres and the Achievement of UNESCO TVET Strategy 2022–2029 in Kenya

Abstract

TVET systems are increasingly being used worldwide as a response to youth unemployment, skills shortages and changing labour market demands. The UNESCO TVET Strategy 2022–2029 calls for reforms that make skills development more inclusive, digital and responsive to economic needs. In Kenya, significant reforms have been introduced, including Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), expansion of TVET institutions and increased investment in training infrastructure. However, County Vocational Training Centres (CVTCs), which are central to delivering vocational skills at the grassroots level, have received comparatively less attention despite their importance in serving rural and marginalised communities. This study explores the role of CVTCs in Kenya’s implementation of the UNESCO TVET Strategy 2022–2029. A qualitative policy analysis approach was used, based on document review of UNESCO policy frameworks, Kenyan government TVET reports, TVETA publications and relevant academic and institutional literature. The analysis focused on five key areas: equity and inclusion, digital transformation, trainer capacity, labour market relevance and governance structures. The findings show that although access to vocational training has improved through CVTCs, there are still significant gaps in infrastructure, digital access, instructor preparedness, financing and the implementation of CBET. The results also point to an uneven pattern of TVET development, where national institutions tend to benefit more from reforms than county-level training centres. This has led to inconsistent implementation of the UNESCO TVET Strategy across the system. The study concludes that Kenya’s TVET system is only partially aligned with the UNESCO framework. Without stronger investment in CVTCs and more balanced policy implementation, efforts to achieve inclusive and equitable skills development may remain limited. The paper recommends targeted improvements in trainer development, digital infrastructure, funding equity and coordination between national and county governments.