Over 400 coast hospitality workers certified under recognition of prior learning programme

JOAN KINUTHIA - KNA

More than 400 hospital ity workers from the Coast region have received nation ally recognised skills certification under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Upskilling Programme as Kenya intensifies efforts to attract five million interna tional tourists annually by 2027.

The initiative, imple mented by the Tourism Fund in partnership with the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), seeks to improve service standards by recognising experienced hospitality workers who have acquired skills through the workplace but lack formal qualifications.

The participants graduated after a two-week intensive training programme at the Kenya Coast National Poly technic (KCNP) in Mombasa.

The graduating cohort comprised 35 hotel man agers, accountants and hotel owners, 413 hospital ity workers and 28 young content creators.

It was the 24th cohort to complete the programme since its launch, following similar training sessions in Turkana, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Nyeri and other regions. 

The fully funded pro gramme catered for accommodation, transport and meals for participants drawn from hospitality establishments across the Coast region.

Speaking during the grad uation ceremony, Director of TVET at the Ministry of Education, Dr. Joseph Kanyi, said the government approved the Recognition of Prior Learning policy in 2024 to formally recognise workers who possess prac tical skills acquired through experience but lack academic credentials.

“As you may have heard, the government developed and approved the policy on recognition of prior learning in the year 2024,” said Dr. Kanyi.

He said certificates awarded through the pro gramme carry the same value as those obtained through formal education, enabling beneficiaries to pursue higher education, establish businesses and compete for better employment oppor tunities both locally and internationally.