National Industrial Training Authority
The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is a state corporation established under the Industrial Training (Amendment) Act of 2011. Its mandate is to promote the highest standards in the quality and efficiency of Industrial Training in Kenya and ensure an adequate supply of properly trained manpower at all levels in the industry.
The Authority has its headquarters in Nairobi and five industrial training centres spread across the country; NITA Textile Training Institute, NITA Nairobi, NITA Kisumu, NITA Mombasa and NITA Athi River.
The Centres host a number of industry-oriented courses targeting workers in the formal and informal sectors. The courses include short and long programmes [proficiency courses, skill upgrading courses, artisan courses, and tailor-made courses]. The Centres provide full board accommodation, training rooms, workshops and recreational facilities.
Section 3A of the industrial Training (Amendment) Act, 2011 gives the powers and functions of the Authority.
The Authority is thus responsible for:
- Industrial training;
- Assessing and collecting industrial training levy and fees;
- Regulating trainers registered under section 7C of the Act;
- Developing industrial training curricula;
- Integrating labour market information into skills development;
- Harmonising curricula and certificates of competence;
- Assessing industrial training, testing occupational skills and awarding certificates including Government Trade Test certificates;
- Equating certificates;
- Accrediting institutions engaged in skills training for industry; and associating or collaborating with any other body or organization within or outside Kenya as the Board may consider desirable or appropriate and in furtherance of the purpose for which the Authority is established.
