Ngong Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Mbiriri Mwaura has called on informal sector workers and young people in Kajiado North to pursue formal certification via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme, emphasizing its potential to unlock employment and self-employment opportunities. Speaking at an RPL sensitization seminar at Ngong Technical and Vocational Training Centre (TVC), Mwaura highlighted that the initiative allows individuals who gained skills through apprenticeships in workshops, garages, and informal settings to have their competencies formally assessed and certified. 'This programme offers a chance for those skilled through informal training to receive official recognition,' he said, adding that certification could improve access to the government’s labour migration programme and better-paying jobs.
Mwaura pledged to sponsor the first 50 participants from Kajiado North to register for the RPL programme, with plans to support another 50 as enrollment progresses. Ngong TVC Registrar Mary Njogu stressed that formal certification would enable informal workers to meet qualification requirements for opportunities previously out of reach. Marianne Wambui, a cosmetologist from Matasia Town, described the programme as a means to obtain verifiable proof of her skills, while welder Collins Oduor expressed hope that a certificate would open doors to higher-paying jobs, including abroad. Ngong TVC RPL Coordinator Jackson Koiga explained that the programme evaluates skills acquired through informal learning, offering formal recognition in sectors such as construction, tailoring, and catering.
Over 100 youth attended the seminar, receiving registration forms with a deadline of Friday. Those who enroll will undergo assessments conducted by Ngong TVC in partnership with the Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC). Self-sponsored candidates will pay Sh3,000 for the certification process. The RPL programme, designed to validate competencies from informal learning and work experience, aims to provide nationally recognized qualifications to skilled workers without formal education. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to formalize informal sector contributions and enhance economic mobility in the region.
The event underscored the growing emphasis on bridging the gap between informal skills and formal recognition, with stakeholders highlighting its potential to empower workers and integrate them into structured employment systems. As registration progresses, the focus remains on expanding access to certification, ensuring that Kajiado North’s informal workforce can compete on local and international platforms.