The African Centre for Career Enhancement & Skills Support (ACCESS) recently convened a Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshop in partnership with Mount Kenya University at the Maxland Hotel in Juja. The event, titled "Synergizing Skills: Bridging Academia and Industry for Career Excellence," sought to address the critical mismatch between academic education and the demands of the modern job market.

Attendees, including educators, industry professionals, and policymakers, came together to explore strategies for enhancing student employability. Notable participants were Dr. Andrew Kipkebut, Coordinator of Innovation and Business Incubation, and Ms. Faith Yator, Deputy Director TVET at Kabarak University. Their discussions centered on strengthening the collaboration between academia and industry, advocating for innovative teaching methods, industry-relevant curricula, and increased internship opportunities.

Dr. Henry Yatich, the workshop host, emphasized the importance of updating curricula to align with the dynamic job market. He also highlighted the value of service learning as a crucial component of career preparation. Demonstrating tools such as Mural, Access WIKI, and Mentimeter, Dr. Yatich illustrated how these resources can enhance interactive and collaborative learning environments.

He stressed the need for hands-on experience through internships and industry collaboration, as well as equipping students with both technical and soft skills like communication and problem-solving. Looking ahead, Dr. Yatich expressed a strong interest in future collaborations with Kabarak University, noting that the institution will be part of ACCESS 2.0, a program expected to run for the next five years. This initiative aims to further integrate academic and industry efforts to benefit student development and career readiness.