Study shows region on right track for technical vocational education

A study by the  Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has indicated that region is on the right track with  Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) .

The annual beneficiary satisfaction survey for the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP) for IUCEA   conducted among 1,300 graduates from 2023 across 16 Regional Flagship TVET Institutes (RFTIs) in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania, assessed student satisfaction with their education and employer satisfaction with graduates' skills and employability.

The survey, conducted by Ipsos Kenya Centre for Development Research and Evaluation, on behalf of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) indicated that employer satisfaction with TVET graduates remained high at 86%.

"Employers highly rated graduate competence (88%) and the relevance of their skills (91%). Notably, 88% of employers provided on-the-job training to graduates, which indicates a strong commitment to their career development. Ethiopian employers reported the highest satisfaction rates, followed by Kenya and Tanzania," Regional Project Coordinator for EASTRIP, Dr. Joseph Cosam  said during the release of the report on Wednesday in Entebbe.

The study found high overall graduate satisfaction (84%) which according to Dr.Cosam,  demonstrates the impact of EASTRIP in enhancing the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and

Training (TVET).

There was also a notable increase in employability of TVET graduates, rising from 41% the previous year to 58% in 2023.

The transport and logistics sector experienced the most notable growth, with employment rates jumping from 38% to 68%.

Male graduates continue to have higher employment rates than females, but female employability also improved.

Graduates reported higher incomes after completing their TVET education compared to their pre-TVET earnings which highlights the programme's positive impact on their financial well-being.

"The fifth year of the EASTRIP project has shown encouraging results, with a significant increase in

graduate employability and consistently high levels of satisfaction among both graduates and employers," Dr.Cosam said.

Concerns

However, despite the achievements, the study highlighted concerns regarding graduates' lack of experience and work ethic were raised by some employers.

Despite the overall positive trends, the report also identifies areas for improvement which include inadequate practical training, insufficient resources and infrastructure, limited job opportunities aligned with acquired skills, incomplete course delivery, and limited industry linkages.

“The report also highlights critical areas that need our attention. We must prioritize practical training aligned with industry needs, address concerns about teaching quality, and ensure that graduates have access to adequate resources and infrastructure,” Dr. Cosam said.

The report recommends strengthening of industry-aligned practical training by fostering stronger partnerships with employers, improving teaching quality by investing in educator professional development and ensuring consistent course delivery.

“Moving forward, we will focus on strengthening partnerships with industries to enhance

the relevance of TVET programs and improve graduate outcomes. We remain committed to empowering youth and women in East Africa with the skills they need to thrive in the evolving job market and contribute to the region's economic growth," Dr. Cosam said.

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is an institution of the East African Community (EAC) responsible for the development and coordination of higher education and research in the region.

On the other hand,  IUCEA is the Regional Facilitation Unit for the World Bank-funded East Africa

Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP).