Finland's President Stubb applauds Kenya's progress in skilling youth through Dual Training

The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, on Tuesday visited two Dual Training sites in Nairobi highlighting the fruitful collaboration between Kenya and Finland in advancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

President Stubb who was accompanied by First Lady Suzanne Innes-Stubb, engaged with students at Nairobi National Polytechnic, who demonstrated their skills in Automotive Mechatronics and Hospitality. The students also highlighted how the Dual Training programmes are preparing them with practical skills for the workplace.

“Finland implements Dual Training through our Universities of Applied Sciences. It is truly encouraging to witness Kenya embracing this model that places young people at the heart of innovation, industry, and opportunity. We are proud to partner in this journey toward inclusive, sustainable growth,” said President Stubb.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba thanked Finland for its ongoing support.

“This partnership is helping us equip young Kenyans with practical, industry-ready skills,” he said.

President Stubb later toured Caetano Kenya, one of over 1,500 industry partners in the Dual Training programme, where he observed trainees gaining hands-on experience and contributing to daily operations.

Since 2019, the State Department for TVET has been implementing the Dual Training approach in Kenya. The programme which combines classroom learning with hands-on industry training and mentorship, is supported through a Euro 15 million joint financing from the Governments of Finland (Euro 8 million) and Germany.

The Dual Training initiative aims to boost youth employment by aligning training with industry needs. It focuses on strong policies, deeper industry partnerships, digitalizing learning, integrating green skills, and building the capacity of TVET trainers and managers. It also promotes gender equity and inclusion of persons with disabilities in vocational training.

Currently, over 5,000 students are enrolled in 93 Dual Training vocations in over 65 national TVET institutions nationwide.

In January 2025, the Cabinet of Kenya officially adopted the Dual Training policy, further solidifying Kenya's commitment to ensuring that graduates acquire practical, market-ready skills.

This visit is part of a three-day State Visit to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Finland and Kenya. It reaffirms Finland’s commitment to enhancing the quality and labour-market relevance of vocational training in Kenya.