<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xml:lang="en"
         xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML">
  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">BJCR</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title xml:lang="en">British Journal of Contemporary Research</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title xml:lang="en">BJCR</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn>2979-8582</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Bexford Publishing Ltd</publisher-name>
        <publisher-loc><uri>https://bexfordpublishing.co.uk</uri></publisher-loc>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">BEX_SEP_26_165</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.67693/BJCR-86DULFCG</article-id>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group xml:lang="en" subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Review Article</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title xml:lang="en">Strengthening Skills Development for Industry Relevance and Sustainable Employment</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group content-type="author">
      <contrib corresp="yes">
        <name-alternatives>
          <name name-style="western" specific-use="primary">
            <given-names>Chepkemei Eileen</given-names>
          </name>
        </name-alternatives>
        <email>eileenchepkemei@gmail.com</email>
        <bio xml:lang="en"><p>Research Associate, Chepsirei Technical and Vocational College, Eldoret, Kenya</p></bio>
      </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date date-type="pub" publication-format="epub">
        <day>10</day>
        <month>10</month>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>1</volume>
      <issue>5</issue>
      
      
      <pub-history>
        <event event-type="received">
          <event-desc>Received: <date date-type="received">
            <day>20</day>
            <month>09</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
        
        <event event-type="accepted">
          <event-desc>Accepted: <date date-type="accepted">
            <day>25</day>
            <month>09</month>
            <year>2026</year>
          </date></event-desc>
        </event>
      </pub-history>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>Copyright (c) 2026 Chepkemei Eileen</copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2026</copyright-year>
        <license xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">
          <license-p>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract><p>ABSTRACT
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a critical role in industrial 
development and economic transformation in Kenya. Recent reforms, including Competency￾Based Education and Training (CBET), modularized curricula, dual training systems, 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and industry-linked internship programs, have strengthened 
practical skills acquisition and workplace readiness among trainees. Despite these initiatives, 
graduate unemployment and underemployment remain significant challenges, raising concerns 
about the effectiveness of TVET–industry partnerships in promoting sustainable employment.
This study examined factors influencing employable skills development and industry relevance 
within Kenya&#039;s TVET sector. The study adopted a qualitative desk review and policy analysis 
design. Data were obtained from Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority 
(TVETA) reports, government policy documents, labour market reports, industry publications, 
peer-reviewed journal articles, and international TVET literature. The collected information was 
analyzed thematically to identify key trends, challenges, opportunities, and policy gaps affecting 
skills development and graduate employability.
The review revealed that although TVET reforms have enhanced technical competence and 
practical skills acquisition, significant challenges persist. Key issues identified include limited
integration of emerging technologies, inadequate industry participation in curriculum 
development and training delivery, skills mismatches between graduates and labour market 
requirements, limited internship and apprenticeship opportunities, and weak international 
recognition of local qualifications. The findings further indicate that labour market absorption 
has not expanded at the same pace as the increasing number of TVET graduates, contributing to 
persistent unemployment and underemployment.
The study concludes that strengthening TVET–industry partnerships requires a more integrated 
approach involving government, training institutions, employers, and development partners. 
Greater investment in technology integration, industry-led skills development, labour market 
intelligence, and internationally recognized certification frameworks is necessary to enhance 
graduate employability and workforce competitiveness. Strengthening these areas will contribute 
to sustainable employment and support Kenya&#039;s industrial transformation agenda.
Keywords: TVET, Employability, Industry Partnerships, Competency-Based Education and 
Training (CBET), Skills Development, Sustainable Employment.</p></abstract>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <body/>
</article>