PropelA Apprentices Triumph in Global Skills Competition
From August 19th to 23rd, the Kenya School of TVET in Nairobi hosted the 2024 World Skills Kenya National Competition, where skilled qualified apprentices from across the country gathered to test their abilities. For Over the course of five days, participants took on intricate complex projects across in 12 key trades, including plumbing and electrical installation. Among the skilled apprentices competing, two individuals—Titus and Emmanuel—exemplified the dedication and resilience that PropelA cultivates through its industry-focused training. Their journeys, each unique, underscore how consistent effort and sacrifice, paired with hands-on industry experience, can lead to remarkable success.
How consistency and sacrifice led Titus to victory
Titus Njoroge’s path to success was has been one of shaped by sacrifice and determination. He made a the difficult tough decision to drop out of university, prioritizing the education of his four younger siblings over his own ambitions. With no financial support from his parents, he took up a job at a hardware store to make ends meet and worked , working tirelessly to provide support for himself. “I had to fend for myself, but even in those tough hard times, opportunities came my way,” Titus recalls. As he interacted with the plumbers who frequented the store, his interest in the trade grew, and he began to see a new future for himself.
This newfound passion led him to the Don Bosco school, where he learned about and joined the PropelA program. He was drawn to the way the program used state-of-the-art tools and kept up with industry developments, giving him a the opportunity chance to advanceto develop his skills in ways he had never imagined. “I was impressed with how the program used modern equipment and stayed on top of industry trends,” he says.
Titus’s hard work and dedication paid off at the World Skills Kenya National Competition. Confident in his abilities, he declared before the competition, “I can confidently say I will emerge on top.” His on-the-job training with at Allied Plumbers Ltd proved invaluable, as he deftly handled the competition’s challenges. “I’ve already worked with modern fittings and equipment on-site. As a matter of fact, I am the one showing my competitors how to use some tools and equipment,” he shared. Winning the national plumbing competition was a moment of pride that confirmed , affirming that his sacrifices were had been worth it. . Now, he looks forward to the next stage of the competition in Zambia, determined to continue his journey toward excellence. Just as Titus found his path in plumbing, Emmanuel discovered a renewed sense of purpose in electrical installation. His story, too, reflects a deep resilience and determination to overcome personal and financial barriers.
Emmanuel’s success journey against all odds
Emmanuel Mbaire’s story is one of perseverance through adversity. As the eldest oldest of four children, he faced the difficult reality of being raised by a single mother who struggled to make ends meet. Despite his academic potential, Emmanuel had to leave university when he could no longer afford the tuition fees. He took up a job as a primary school teacher to support his family, but the dream of becoming an electrician remained out of reach—until a friend told him about the PropelA program.
For Emmanuel, PropelA was a lifeline. He embraced the opportunity to gain practical skills and a chance to redefine his future. The program which combines, blending hands-on training with technical knowledge, has equipped him to excel in the competitive field of electrical installation. “The skills I’ve gained from PropelA are hands-on and comprehensive. It’s not just about technical skills but also creativity and analytical thinking,” Emmanuel explains. This foundation gave him the confidence to face take on the challenge of the World Skills Kenya National Competition.
65% of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates find employment within six months of completing their courses (African Leadership Magazine, 2024).
Winning the competition was more than just a professional milestone for Emmanuel—it was a deeply personal achievement. Having placed fourth in the previous year’s competition, he entered this year’s event with a sense of determination. When his name was announced as the winner of the electrical installation category, he was overcome with emotion. “The competition was tough... But when they announced my name and I saw my trainers rushing toward me with pride, it was a moment I’ll never forget. After receiving my medal, the first thing I did was to call my mother, who has supported me every step of the way,” he recalls with a smile. Emmanuel is now lookings forward to advancing his career in the fields of EV and PV systems, with and hopes of to pursue earning a degree in electrical engineering.
The mission to empower Kenya’s youth
Together, Titus and Emmanuel illustrate the power of vocational training to transform lives, with PropelA offering them a chance to excel where traditional paths fell short. With their victories, Titus and Emmanuel they are now gearing up for the next challenge—the regional competition in Zambia in March 2025, and eventually, the World Skills global competition in Lyon, France. Their stories of perseverance and success serve as powerful examples of how skill development can change lives, turning hardship into opportunity and ambition into achievement.
We, at the Hilti Foundation congratulate the accomplishments of Titus and Emmanuel on their great success and thank our partners who have been a part of their journey. Behind the achievements of Titus and Emmanuel lies the PropelA program’s mission: to bridge the gap between education and employment through practical training and real-world experience.
Together, we are helping to shape build a brighter better future for young professionals in Kenya, one apprentice at a time.
The PropelA Program
The PropelA program was launched in 2022 to address a critical gap in Kenya, where a disconnect between the education sector and the labor market leaves many young people without the practical skills needed by employers. PropelA tackles this challenge with an innovative dual vocational training model that combines classroom learning with hands-on, industry-based experience. Apprentices undergo a two-year apprenticeship, splitting their time between technical schools and real-world training with 35 partner companies. Developed in partnership with Swisscontact, PropelA has already recruited 200 apprentices in its first two years, with plans to enroll 1,000 apprentices by the end of its pilot phase in 2025, empowering them with the skills to thrive in trades like plumbing and electrical installation, leading to stable employment and a more secure future.