Dr. Alice Kande-Gakio Leads Panel Discussion on Skills Development at Changamka Festival
Dr. Alice Kande-Gakio, the CEO of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), was among the distinguished panelists at the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s Changamka Festival, where she led a crucial discussion on strategies for skills development, upskilling, and reskilling of the industrial workforce.
The event, which brought together key industry leaders, policymakers, and educators, focused on tackling the skills gap and enhancing the capacity of Kenya’s workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving industrial sector. Dr. Kande-Gakio was joined by Eng. Wabwire Simiyu, the Director of the Kenya Industry Training Institute (KITI), and other industry experts who shared their insights on aligning workforce training with market needs.
In her keynote address, Dr. Kande-Gakio emphasized the pivotal role of the **Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF)** in harmonizing education and training across the country. She explained that the framework is designed to facilitate the mobility and transfer of skills both nationally and internationally, making it easier for individuals to advance their careers and for industries to access a skilled labor pool.
“Skills and knowledge are not confined to specific sub-frameworks of the KNQF,” Dr. Kande-Gakio noted. “They extend across all levels and pathways within the framework, ensuring that individuals can progress and acquire skills that are transferable across different sectors and regions.”
The discussion also highlighted the need for robust collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and the private sector to create an agile workforce that is adaptable to the challenges of the modern economy. Eng. Wabwire Simiyu pointed out that ongoing investment in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is essential for preparing the workforce for both current and future industrial needs.
The Changamka Festival is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to promote dialogue and innovation across various sectors of the economy. This year’s festival underscored the importance of addressing skills development as a key driver of sustainable economic growth in Kenya.
Dr. Kande-Gakio’s participation at the festival is part of a broader effort by KNQA to foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development across all sectors of the Kenyan economy. By strengthening the integration of the KNQF into workforce development strategies, the government aims to enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Post Author
