By Anne Sunkuyia
KenGen- Geothermal Training Centre (GTC) is currently implementing the 1st phase of Curriculum Development under EASTRIP project, a key project activity under implementation of the project. Under the guidance of the Technical Vocational Education and Training- Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET-CDACC), the Centre has so far developed below seven (7) core courses;
| No. | Course Name | Level | Qualification |
| 1. | Power plant Operations and Maintenance | 6 | Diploma |
| 2. | Diploma in Geological Technology | 6 | Diploma |
| 3. | Diploma in Geochemistry Technology | 6 | Diploma |
| 4. | Diploma in Geophysical Technology | 6 | Diploma |
| 5. | Diploma in Steam field Monitoring Technology | 6 | Diploma |
| 6. | Diploma in Reservoir Monitoring Technology | 6 | Diploma |
| 7. | Certificate in Project Management | 5 | Certificate |
Curriculum development process is a requirement by the World Bank under EASTRIP project. It is a core activity that should be undertaken before recruitment of trainees at the Geothermal Training Centre (GTC). A complete curriculum will comprises of Core Units, Basic units and Common Units. The Centre is currently developing common courses that will be offered together with the core units mentioned above. Basic units are ones that are responsive to individual student backgrounds and needs through development of practical academic skills, including: critical thinking, reading, researching and writing. As such, below two (2) common courses, each with five (5) units of competency have been identified.
| Course Name | PRINCIPLES OF SCIENCE | PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING |
| No. | Units of Competency | Units of Competency |
| 1. | Laboratory Technology | Fluid Mechanics |
| 2. | Exploration Techniques | Introduction to Energy and Environment |
| 3. | Materials of the Earth & Earth Processes | Thermodynamics |
| 4. | Occupational Safety & Health | Workshop Practice |
| 5. | Computational Techniques | Engineering Mathematics |
To build capacity and fast track the process of curriculum development, and as part of the requirements of the World Bank, the Centre is planning to train a new team of curriculum developers to enable the team develop a competency based, market driven curriculum under the 2nd phase of curriculum development process. Upon completion of the training, they are expected to immediately commence development of the courses, earmarked for the 2nd phase. The Centre has identified eight (8) courses for development, under the 2nd phase of Curriculum Development, as listed below;
| No. | Course Name | Level | Qualification |
| 1. | Diploma in Drilling Operations | 6 | Diploma |
| 2. | Diploma in Natural Resource Management | 6 | Diploma |
| 3. | Diploma in GIS & Remote Sensing | 6 | Diploma |
| 4. | Diploma in Direct Use Applications | 6 | Diploma |
| 5. | Diploma in Battery Storage Technology | 6 | Diploma |
| 6. | Diploma in Environmental Chemistry | 6 | Diploma |
| 7. | Diploma in Instrumentation and Control | 6 | Diploma |
| 8. | Diploma in Civil Works & Construction | 6 | Diploma |
TVET-CDACC is scheduled to train our new set of proposed Curriculum Developers on Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) from 15th-19th March 2021. This will enable the team to develop a competency-based curriculum for courses listed above, under the 2nd phase of curriculum development. The Centre is keen to ensure completion of the curriculum development within the set timelines of the project.
The Writer is a Senior Information Scientist at KenGen Geothermal Training Center
