Government to Certify 68,000 Artisans Under National Recognition of Prior Learning Framework

The Kenyan government has initiated a large-scale program to formally certify 68,000 skilled workers who have acquired their expertise through hands-on experience rather than traditional classroom instruction. This move, executed through the National Recognition of Prior Learning framework, focuses on bridging the gap between informal craftsmanship and official qualifications. The Ministry of Education, through the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, intends to standardize the assessment of skills across various technical sectors, with a heavy emphasis on the construction and manufacturing industries.

Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, confirmed that the government has finalized the logistics to assess and certify this first major cohort. The program is designed to provide a legal and professional pathway for plumbers, masons, electricians, and other site workers who have spent years in the industry but lack the paperwork often required for government tenders or formal employment contracts. By obtaining these certificates, artisans can align their practical knowledge with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework, which is the national scale used to rank educational and skill levels.

The rollout follows the official launch of the Recognition of Prior Learning policy by President William Ruto earlier this year. The policy was established to address a persistent imbalance in the Kenyan labor market, where a significant portion of the workforce remains in the informal sector, commonly referred to as Jua Kali. Despite possessing the technical ability to execute complex infrastructure projects, many of these workers have historically been excluded from higher-paying roles or international opportunities due to the absence of a recognized certificate.

To facilitate the certification of the 68,000 individuals, the government has identified several Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions to serve as assessment centers. Candidates are required to undergo a rigorous evaluation process where their practical skills are tested against industry standards. If they meet the criteria, they are issued certificates that carry the same weight as those earned through traditional three-year or four-year diploma and certificate courses.

The Ministry of Education has indicated that this initiative is not merely about documentation but about improving the overall quality of workmanship in the construction sector. By bringing informal workers into a regulated framework, the government expects to see better adherence to building codes and safety standards. Furthermore, the certification allows these workers to progress into higher levels of education, as the Recognition of Prior Learning credits can be used to meet entry requirements for advanced technical diplomas or university degrees.

Financial barriers to certification have also been addressed within the framework. The government has previously noted that the cost of assessment should remain accessible to ensure that low-income earners are not locked out of the formalization process. This aligns with the broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to empower the informal workforce as a primary driver of national development.

The Kenya National Qualifications Authority is tasked with overseeing the integrity of the process. The authority ensures that the certificates issued are credible and that the assessment remains insulated from fraud. For the construction industry, which currently faces a shortage of certified middle-level technicians despite a surplus of manual labor, this program provides a verified pool of talent for contractors and developers.

As the first phase of the 68,000-worker certification begins, the government anticipates that the formal recognition of these skills will also make Kenyan artisans more competitive in the regional labor market. With the East African Community and other bilateral labor agreements opening up, a certified Kenyan mason or welder can now seek employment in neighboring countries with documentation that proves their competency.