KATTI principals at the Greening TVET workshop in Naivasha urge Parliament to enact supportive laws enabling commercialisation of innovations boosting Kenya’s economy

Over 50 KATTI principals have urged the government to amend laws and regulations that pose significant barriers to the commercialisation of products and services arising from innovations and entrepreneurial skills in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Speaking at a workshop in Burch Resort, Naivasha, the KATTI Principals stated that many TVET Institutions in Kenya have innovated various products and services. Still, they are unable to commercialise them due to legal barriers, which demoralise many TVET Institutions.

“The TVET Institutions are the backbone of innovations and these innovations can only have great impacts to the economic development of any nation if the innovations are commercialised and act as income Generating activities by selling the products and services of these innovations to the public, we urged amendment of some laws to enable TVET to commercialised their innovations”, said KATTI National Chairman David Mwangi.

The KATTI Principal requests that the Members of the National Assembly and Senate spearhead the amendment of specific laws that act as barriers to the commercialisation of Innovations in TVET, so that the country can witness a significant economic impact caused by Innovations and skills in over 245 TVET Institutions in Kenya.

“We request the lawmakers, MPS and Senators, a legal framework which is a friendly environment to enable TVET Institutions to use the products and services from innovative ideas to generate income-generating activities through entrepreneurial skills of trainees.”, said Mwangi.

He added that by removing legal obstacles, TVET alone can be a significant source of employment for millions of Kenyan youths, thereby strengthening the country’s economic foundation.

We have witnessed many innovative ideas from our trainees in TVET institutions. Let us commercialise them and sell these products and services in Kenya and Africa.

KATTI Principals added that the time has come for the Government to view TVET as a hub for the industrial revolution, which will create employment for millions of Kenyan youths if allowed to commercialise their innovative skills.

The KATTI Principals stated that in developed countries like Korea,  Japan, China, and others, TVET Institutions have commercialised innovative ideas, which are sold on the world market.

“The Developing Countries view TVET as an industrialisation hub which is a driver of economic developments; many of their innovative ideas from their TVET Institutions are in the world market. Kenya should follow suit to make good use of innovative ideas from Kenya’s TVET Institutions, said Mwangi.