The 2024 World Skills Kenya National Competition, held from August 19th to 23rd at the Kenya School of TVET in Nairobi, was a landmark event that brought together some of the brightest minds in the country. Zetech University won the 1st runners-up, with standout performance by their students who participated in the Cyber Security and CISCO Networks category. The two students; Mburu Karanja’s and Simon Wafula’s invention focused on Cyber Security which basically is an analyst in the web and cloud platforms in performing security checks to assess systems vulnerability and giving recommendations to secure them.
This year’s competition, jointly organised by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Authority, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Huawei focused on showcasing and elevating technical skills across Kenya, with 12 main skill areas featured. These included Sustainable Agriculture, Innovative Technology, and Innovative Engineering Solutions, reflecting the diverse and rapidly evolving fields that are critical to the nation’s development.
The participation was marked by an exhibition booth where students pitched a variety of innovative projects. These projects not only highlighted the creativity and technical prowess of Zetech University students but also demonstrated the institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and practical skills. Among other skills showcased by Zetech University students included inventions in; Automatic Shower Systems by Kennedy Kimari, Face Recognition Security Systems by Mike Francis Ng’ang’a, Water Quality Monitoring System by Michael Kamau among others.
Their achievement is a testament to the high level of training and mentorship provided by the university, which consistently produces graduates who are not only technically proficient but also competitive on a national and global scale.
The primary goal of the World Skills Kenya National Competition is to raise the profile and recognition of skilled professionals in Kenya. By integrating international occupational standards into the country’s training systems, the competition aims to enhance the quality of vocational education and training in Kenya. It also promotes skills mobility, allowing Kenyan professionals to compete and collaborate on a global stage. Moreover, the event serves as a platform for demonstrating the competence and potential of Kenyan youth to industry leaders and the broader economy.
Zetech University’s involvement in this prestigious event extended beyond the competition floor. The university’s representatives also took part in various plenary sessions, which featured keynote speeches and panel discussions. These sessions provided an opportunity for participants to engage with industry experts, share insights, and discuss the future of vocational education and training in Kenya. Through these engagements, Zetech University not only showcased its academic and technical competence but also contributed to the broader conversation about the role of skills development in the country’s economic growth.
The competition served as a precursor to the World Skills Africa competition scheduled for March 2025 in Zambia, as well as the World Skills global competition in Lyon, France from September 10-15, 2024.
As the university looks to the future, it remains focused on nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and contributing to the development of a skilled workforce that will drive Kenya’s economic and social progress. The achievements of Zetech University’s students at this year’s competition are a clear indication that the institution is on the right trajectory and continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the current and the future of Kenya’s tech skills and talents.