Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi

An economy requires a labour force with the appropriate levels of skills to perform its main functions. In general, skilled manpower is created by education and training. In 1970 the Industrial Training Act was enacted by the Kenyan Government to make provisions for the regulations of the training of persons engaged in industries and to establish training schemes. This paper describes the formal industrial training system and training policy in Kenya, its aims and instruments. The paper presents data from a study aimed at determining the effectiveness of the formal industrial training system in achieving its stated objectives. It presents data on quantitative, qualitative and distributional effects of the training system and policy. Data are presented on the number of trainees and the level of training in seven selected industrial sectors, and on the number and characteristics of companies which perform formal industrial training. Data are also provided on the financial situation and on the distributional effects of the levy funds.