NITA to certify 420,000 Kenyans in skills assessment.

 JANE MASON-PCO

The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) aims to assess 420,000 individuals through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative by the end of October 2025.

This ambitious initiative seeks to formally certify workers who have acquired skills through either formal education or informal experience, thereby enhancing their employability and competitiveness in the job market.

The exercise is part of a presidential directive under the National RPL Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), which targets the assessment and certification of one million Kenyans through various government agencies by October 2025.

NITA’s Acting Director General, Ms. Theresa Wasike ( pictured ) , shared this during a virtual briefing with m a n a g e m e n t staff at the inaugural meetingof the steering committee appointed to oversee the rollout.

“The Deputy President has been clear about the expectations regarding RPL, particularly the numbers. As NITA, we are committed to delivering this mandate while upholding the highest standards of quality to protect the integrity of our certification and the credibility of our candidates,” Ms. Wasike said.

She urged all NITA staff to support the process with dedication and professionalism, and commended the ongoing efforts by teams already involved.

Ms. Wasike emphasized that the assessments adhere to the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) guidelines and maintain rigorous quality standards, especially given that many candidates will pursue opportunities abroad under labour mobility programs.

“We must protect the image of both  the Authority and the country,” she added. So far, NITA has onboarded nearly 2,000 candidates through collaborations with various partners.

Among them, Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) has committed to enrolling 1,000 candidates, while the Nyandarua County Government will have 400 staff assessed.

Other partners supporting the initiative include the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the Danish Refugee Council, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), and Kibra Technical and Vocational College, among others.

To further support the implementation of this national goal, NITA is organizing a forum next week that will bring together County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) responsible for Education and Vocational Training from all 47 counties.

The forum will explore potential areas of collaboration for the RPL rollout at the county level.