Skilled jobless Kenyans without education certificates are set to find ease in accessing certification after President William Ruto's Cabinet approved the Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning.
The policy aims to recognise life and working experiences that Kenyans have gained while in the informal sector.
Similarly, the policy also provides an avenue for the targeted Kenyans to apply for certification without necessarily going through school.
According to the Cabinet, the move will unlock more opportunities for Kenyans seeking jobs and employment opportunities.
"The prior learning policy is the bridge to facilitate the transition from informality to formality as well as facilitating multi-entry/exit between the education system and the labour market.
"This seminal move is anticipated to open up a bountiful frontier of new opportunities for the millions of hustlers who are the lifeblood of the Kenyan economy.
Additionally, Kenyans already in employment will also apply for certification should they be needed to get promotions and salary raises.
On the other hand, the policy will also help those seeking admission to colleges, change a career path, or advance in their education.
"Learning is an individual's life in Kenya and most developing countries, is majorly through non-formal and informal means, whether at work, at home, or elsewhere.
"However, the current formal education system in Kenya is not geared to recognizing skills acquired through non-formal and informal learning, hence an impediment to the development and utilization of human capital," read the policy in part.
According to the policy developed by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, Kenyans will apply for certification with the help of facilitators.
During the application, one will provide various documentation including evidence of their work in the informal sector.
Other requirements include letters of recommendation, samples of a candidate's work and products, videos and/or photographs of work activities, and skills logbooks.
Certificates issued in seminars and testimonials from previous employers can also be submitted during the application process.
"First, the candidate’s application will be sent to an assessor, who screens the application and the evidence. Thereafter, the assessor will interview the candidate and, if required, guide him or her on how to improve the evidence.
"Once the assessor is satisfied, the candidate will be advised as to the nature of the final assessment (test). If the assessor is not satisfied, the candidate will be told of the shortcomings and advised on how to overcome them (for example, collecting additional evidence or upgrading the knowledge and skills)," read the policy in part.
