Trainees in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have been urged to complement their technical and academic skills with soft skills and cultural competence to enhance their employability in an increasingly globalized job market.

Mt. Kenya West Regional Director for the State Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Charles Nyota, said technical qualifications may help graduates secure employment, but interpersonal skills are critical to helping them succeed and remain competitive in their chosen careers.

“As part of our core business, we must promote soft skills where our learners are able to interact with other Kenyans and are able to move our country forward,” Nyota said.

He was speaking at Ndia Technical and Vocational College, where he was the chief guest during the institution’s Cultural Day, themed “Integrating Cultural Diversity in Skills and Talent for Unity.”

Students of Ndia TVC perform traditional dance during cultural day.

Nyota said the government’s vision for TVET is to produce creators and innovators rather than merely job seekers. He cautioned that technical skills without values and good interpersonal relations could limit a graduate’s success, particularly in Kenya’s culturally diverse market.

“A mason who cannot respect his client, culture, language, or belief cannot thrive in the diverse Kenyan market. That’s why we must integrate culture in our day-to-day operations,” he said.

He noted that cultural integration forms part of Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), where culture complements competencies such as communication, teamwork, and creativity.

Nyota challenged trainees not to abandon their cultural identity in pursuit of modernity, particularly in an era dominated by social media and globalization.

“Modernity is good, but your roots are better. Use culture to give flavour to your skills,” he said.

He urged trainees to strive to be recognized not only for their technical abilities but also for their professionalism and respect for others.

“Let your client know you are not only the best electrician but also because you are the most respectful, most united, and most culturally compliant,” Nyota added.

Assistant County Commissioner for Sagana, Doreen Mwenda, who represented Kirinyaga West Deputy County Commissioner John Mbugua, said the theme of the event was timely, noting that cultural days go beyond traditional attire, songs, and dances.

She described such occasions as important platforms for promoting community cohesion, institutional identity, and personal development.

“TVET institutions are the bedrock of our counties’ and country’s socio-economic progression, while Cultural Day provides an environment where academic rigor meets national integration,” Mwenda said.

She said embracing cultural diversity could help institutions create inclusive environments capable of attracting talent from across the country.

“By embracing diversity, the college creates an inclusive atmosphere that attracts talent from every corner of Kenya, establishing itself as a center of excellence, unity, and innovation,” she said.

Mwenda further echoed the director, telling trainees that while technical skills equip them for their careers, cultural competence shapes their character and prepares them for the demands of the global workplace.

“Embracing diverse backgrounds enables you to work harmoniously in multicultural teams, whether in local industries or international organizations. So never take these talents and cultural heritages for granted. Build them alongside your core technical trade,” she said.

She also cautioned the trainees against drug and substance abuse, urging them to focus on education, self-improvement, and personal safety.

“Form is education, form is the knowledge you get here, form is self-improvement, and form is safety,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sarah Mutua, a member of the Ndia TVC Board in charge of the Academic Committee, thanked the college principal and the organizing team for putting together the cultural event. She said education should go beyond academic qualifications to include good morals and an appreciation of one’s heritage.

“It would be meaningless if we had education without morals and forgot where we have come from,” Mutua said.

She said the Cultural Day provided an opportunity for trainees and staff to celebrate Kenya’s diversity, appreciate their heritage, and strengthen their sense of community.

By Mutai Kipng’etich