Project Announcement: Launching Dual Vocational Education PropelA in Kenya
First Dual Vocational Training in East Africa
East Africa’s professional education system mainly consists of universities, but not every high school graduate has the opportunity to go to university. As a result, millions of unemployed young people in East African cities hope to earn a few dollars as unskilled day jobbers, unable to build a decent life themselves. At the same time, companies are in massive need for skilled workers.
In East Africa, thes is a massive gap between professional education offers and the actual market needs.
To close this gap, the Hilti Foundation has launched the dual vocational education initiative “PropelA” targeting urban youth to provide them with a perspective for a sustainable life. The project has now started with 120 apprentices and 24 electrical and plumbing companies, along with 2 private schools and NITA (National Industrial Training Authority) implementing this unique education model in Kenya. The Hilti Foundation’s objective is, to establish a Dual Vocational Education, that combines all elements required for a systemic change: Including a committed industry, schools with the right layout and tools, well-trained teachers educating according to the appropriate and state-approved curriculum, ongoing training plans for company coaches and teachers as well as sustainable financing.
“This initiative provides education that meets the market’s needs and gives young people the opportunity to build long-term professional perspectives,” explains Werner Wallner, CEO of the Hilti Foundation.
This group of young men recently started their Dual Vocational Training. Over the next two years, they will be educated and become skilled workers in plumbing.
How 100 years of Swiss expertise in dual education meets Kenyan needs
When evaluating the market, it turned out that many companies are willing to invest in a program covering their needs for skilled workers, since the current education systems do not produce the skills demanded in the market. An educational trip to Switzerland organized by the Hilti Foundation, brought ten Kenyan companies and two (private) schools to deep diving into dual education: Workshops with Swiss companies of all sizes, apprentices, authorities, associations and vocational schools, leaving visitors simply enthusiastic.
Together with Swiss experts who can look back on 100 years of dual education, a Kenyan team of experts created a top-notch curriculum meeting the needs of the private sector. For each semester, it describes the training content in the companies, as well as the theoretical and practical learning at the vocational schools. The initiative also covers the ongoing training of teachers and company coaches who are to supervise the apprentices.
The Swiss expert team not only helped to define the curricula and technology, but also to design the schools’ modern layout according to the latest developments in vocational education in Switzerland. The schools have been supplied with high-quality equipment and tools, as well as materials used on the local market.
As of November 2022, 120 apprentices have started their dual vocational education. They have signed an apprenticeship contract with salary and benefits, expecting to graduate with an official national diploma after two years.
Outlook & next steps
In 2023, the Hilti Foundation plans to work with Kenyan leading firms to develop a concept for trade associations, to ensure the sustainability of the training system, to further develop education and adapt the curriculum as the market evolves. Once the quality of the educational program is secured in 2023, the project will start to scale up. By 2025, the goal is to achieve 80% market coverage through 70 participating companies and 1’000 apprentices.
“Our goal with this initiative is to create a lighthouse project that can be transferred to other construction trades, and hopefully, over time, to other professions as well,” concludes Werner Wallner.
Key criteria for a sustainable Dual Vocational Training
Driven by the industry. Dual Vocational Training (DVT) cannot be implemented without entrepreneurs willing to train in their companies.
Sustainably financed by the private sector and the government.
Market-based training with a curriculum teaching the skills companies need.
Certified by national authorities. The DVT is an institution of the state, so companies, schools, teachers, curricula, and the diploma have to be certified by NITA (National Industrial Training Authority).
Facts & Figures
24 companies with 40 company coaches
2 schools with modern layout and equipment
4 new teachers, trained by Swiss experts
120 apprentices, carefully selected
Top-notch curricula meeting company needs
Learner-centric teaching
Ongoing training for teachers and coaches
National diploma (NITA)
Working on a concept for associations
Targeting an 80% market coverage (70 companies and 1’000 apprentices)
Training and learning methods
Teachers and company coaches have to be trained regularly on curricula, new technologies and on learner-centric teaching. It’s all about the trainees: What do they have to do in the company? What do they have to learn at school and what in the workshop?
Project Funding
While the Hilti Foundation covered most of the expenses during the set-up phase, the companies will invest in training their company coaches, paying the apprentices and paying the school fees in the operation phase from 2023 to 2025. These fees will allow the schools to cover their expenses and make a small profit. If they recognize the financial attractiveness of the training in addition to its quality, more schools will switch to the dual vocational training program. The better they perform, the more students the companies will send and the more money they will get.