Since 2017, Durham College has participated in eight projects with Kenyan Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and associations. Each project partnership has resulted in significant impacts and changes in institution leadership, teacher training, industry partnerships, enrollment, inclusion, and student success.

As part of our projects, Durham College faculty, staff, and academic leaders have provided training on TVET leadership development, market-driven curriculum, entrepreneurship, applied learning (e.g. electrical), student services, and recruitment. Sharing best practices learning with partners in Kenya has been meaningful for Durham College faculty and staff and supports our vision and commitment to support the economic, social, and environmental success of our global community.

Current projects in Kenya include a partnership focused on national Competency Based Education and Training for all Pre-Service and In-Service TVET trainers and leadership training with the Kenya School of TVET and a second partnership aimed at the development and launch of new electrical and solar programs at Maasai Mara Technical Vocational College. Each project partnership has a strong focus on strategies and processes for applied learning and sustainable industry linkages to ensure the development of industry-responsive curriculum that better matches graduate skills with employer needs in an effort to support employment and self-employment.

Durham College in collaboration with College of the North Atlantic and Mohawk College, was recently awarded one of six Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE-04) calls for proposals.

With this contract, the Canadian college consortium will support two schools in Guyana: New Amsterdam Technical Institute and Bina Hill Institute, in developing industry-responsive and inclusive skills training programs.

SAGE will see more than 1,000 students and beneficiaries trained across a variety of fields, including: water and coastal management, agriculture, construction and eco-tourism. The ultimate goal of SAGE-04 is to develop an inclusive academic program within the renewable energy sector.

This five-year initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada and administered by CICan, will also support Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada’s commitment to empower girls and women worldwide.

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SKILLS PROGRAM (TANZANIA)

Durham College, in collaboration with Sault College and Centennial College, is the project lead for one of six Empowerment through Skills Program projects in Tanzania. The Empowerment through Skills Program is aimed at strengthening alternative pathways to education for women and adolescent girls in Tanzania. Funded by Global Affairs Canada and administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada, the program aims to improve access to funding for employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship. The project team will work collaboratively to implement a wide range of initiatives including community-based labour market analysis, community awareness campaigns, industry partnerships, and teacher training. The project will also result in new equipment and short programs in a range of sectors such as business, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and agriculture.