Through the staff exchange programme, supported by the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), Rose was able to collaborate with her peers at the Kafue Gorge Regional Training Centre (KGRTC) in Zambia.
Stepping into a different environment and engaging in hands-on sessions broadened her understanding of the geothermal sector and energy-related fields. The exposure was transformative. “I can now teach better than before,” Rose shared, her voice reflecting newfound enthusiasm. “The exposure and practical sessions in Zambia have enriched my teaching approach and enabled me to incorporate more innovative methods into our curriculum”.
Rose’s experience reflects the profound impact EASTRIP is having technical vocational education in East Africa. The project has enhanced knowledge-sharing, facilitated faculty mobility, and harmonized TVET qualifications and occupational standards across East Africa.
The project has positioned KenGen GTC as a Regional TVET Centre of Excellence in Geothermal Training. KenGen GTC is a key participant in the regional staff exchange programme. The Centre has strategically sent its trainers to other Centres of excellence to foster knowledge exchange. The recent exchange with KGRTC in Zambia saw KenGen GTC trainers specializing in areas such as renewable energy technology, environmental management, and energy systems collaborating with their counterparts, sharing knowledge and best practices to strengthen their expertise.
This exposure to different working environments, policies, and technological advancements in partner institutions has significantly broadened the trainers’ perspectives. By participating in hands-on activities and observing innovative teaching techniques during these exchanges, trainers have acquired valuable skills that they can directly integrate into their methodologies back at KenGen GTC.
Michael Mwania, a Geologist and trainer, remarked: “The program has expanded my perspective on environmental management practices, and I’m excited to apply these insights to enhance our training modules back home.”
Engineer Collins Kimutai, another participant, added: “This exchange has provided a unique opportunity to deepen my understanding of renewable energy technology and adopt innovative practices that will significantly enhance our operations.”
The program is designed for reciprocal benefits with trainers from partner institutions visiting KenGen GTC, to learn about its state-of-the-art geothermal facilities and training approaches. The two-way exchange, which is a hallmark of EASTRIP, enhances the collective capacity of regional institutions, helping them evolve into leading regional hubs for sector-specific skills and knowledge development. Beyond the immediate skill enhancement, these exchanges have strengthened ties between KenGen GTC and partner institutions in Eastern and Southern Africa, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual learning across the region, which aligns with EASTRIP’s overarching goal of promoting regional integration.
By Anne Sunkuyia, Senior Information Scientist at KenGen GTC.
