TVETA Releases Official List Of Accredited TVET Institutions

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) has issued a strong warning to Kenyans seeking admission to technical training institutions, urging them to ensure they only enroll in accredited institutions that are legally allowed to offer training and award recognized certificates.

In a public notice released on Tuesday, March 10, the regulator cautioned that a growing number of unauthorised training institutions have been misleading the public by issuing internal certificates that are not recognised by the government or official qualification awarding bodies.

According to TVETA, these institutions do not have the legal mandate to assess learners or issue nationally recognised qualifications, yet they continue to enroll students and award certificates that hold little or no value in the job market.

The authority explained that only institutions accredited and recognised by the regulator, or by other legally established qualification awarding bodies, are permitted to assess students and issue certificates that are recognised across the country.

TVETA emphasised that certificates issued outside this legal framework are invalid and may disadvantage graduates when seeking employment or further education.

“The Authority’s attention has been drawn to an increased number of training institutions without a legal mandate to award certificates, duping the public by issuing internal certificates,” the regulator said in the notice.

To help the public verify legitimate training centres, TVETA said it has published a comprehensive list of accredited institutions on its official website.

The list includes institutions that have been approved to offer training programmes and those with the legal authority to assess learners and award recognised academic qualifications.

According to the regulator, the approved institutions consist of 34 National Polytechnics, 1,807 Technical and Vocational Colleges, and 1,216 Vocational Training Centres across the country. These institutions have met the regulatory standards required under the law and are authorised to provide technical education and training.

Among the national polytechnics listed as accredited are Kenya Coast National Polytechnic, Eldoret National Polytechnic, Rift Valley National Polytechnic, Sigalagala National Polytechnic, Kabete National Polytechnic, Nairobi National Polytechnic, North Eastern National Polytechnic, Kisumu National Polytechnic, Mwea National Polytechnic and Kaimosi Friends National Polytechnic, among others.

TVETA further clarified that nationally recognised certificates in Kenya can only be issued by officially recognised Qualification Awarding Bodies (QABs). These bodies must have a legal mandate granted through an Act of Parliament or subsidiary legislation, including legal notices or legal orders.

“The public is hereby notified that recognised certificates in Kenya shall only be awarded by recognised Qualification Awarding Bodies that have a legal mandate conferred through an Act of Parliament and/or subsidiary legislation,” the authority stated.

The warning comes shortly after the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) opened applications for students seeking placement in TVET institutions.

The application window targets candidates from the 2000 to 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) cohorts who wish to pursue technical and vocational courses.

In the latest application cycle, KUCCPS has expanded eligibility to include candidates with any KCSE grade. The move is part of broader government efforts to ensure that every student who completed secondary school has an opportunity to pursue further education or skills training.

However, TVETA cautioned that despite the increasing demand for technical education, institutions must strictly comply with the law before offering any training programmes.

Under the provisions of the TVET Act, institutions are required to obtain approval from the authority before mounting training programmes, enrolling students, or issuing any form of academic award.

The regulator also stressed that private technical and vocational training institutions do not automatically have the authority to assess students or issue nationally recognised certificates. Such powers can only be granted through formal authorisation under the law.

Students, parents, guardians and employers have therefore been urged to remain vigilant and verify the accreditation status of any training institution before enrolling or accepting qualifications from them.

TVETA warned that institutions found misrepresenting their legal status, offering unapproved programmes, or issuing certificates without proper authorisation will face strict regulatory and legal action.

The authority reiterated its commitment to protecting students and maintaining the integrity of Kenya’s technical education system, noting that adherence to accreditation standards is critical in ensuring that graduates acquire credible skills and qualifications recognised both nationally and internationally.

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