Introduction
The Government of Kenya, through the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, is committed to empowering youth by recognizing and certifying skills acquired outside formal education through Recognition of Prior Learning Program (RPL). Many young Kenyans have developed valuable competencies through infor-mal training, work experience, apprenticeships, or self-employment, yet these skills often go unrecognized.
The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) under the Ministry is Labour is implementing the RPL compo-nent of the NYOTA program.
What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a structured process of identifying, assessing and formally certifying skills people already possess, opening doors to employment, entrepreneurship, and further study. It formalizes learning gained outside traditional classrooms and provides official credentials such as certificates and tran-scripts that validate these competencies.
Recognition of these skills helps youth to access decent jobs, launch ventures, or pursue higher education. It employs inclusive outreach to all counties, including underserved communities, women, and youth with dis-abilities. NOTE: RPL is not classroom learning.
RPL Target and Implementation Status
The initiative seeks to assess and certify 20,000 skilled youth across the country, boosting employability and opening pathways to entrepreneurship and further learning. It targets youth outside the formal education sys-tem and informal sector workers (Jua kali), out-of-school youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
Between the months of September and October 2025, a total of 69,459 youths registered for RPL awareness for phase one and two, across all the 47 counties. The next stage for these is screening and submission of portfolio of evidence to quantify their skills.
In an effort to ensure that no youth is left behind, the State Department for Labour and Skills Development in partnership with NITA, is set to conduct awareness and screening exercise for phase 3 next week, starting on 27th January 2026. It is targeting over 60,000 youth who applied via *254#. All beneficiaries are requested to report to their respective venues as previously communicated via NITA-NYOTA SMS alerts
Key activities and timelines
| S/No | Activity | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Confirming with RPL centres on preparedness. | 16th to 20th January 2026 | Done |
| 2 | Sending Bulky SMSs to successful applicants through *254# | a) Phase 1: 20 January 2026 b) Reminder 1: 22 January, 2026. c) Reminder 2: 24th January 2026 | Phase 1 and reminder 1 Done Reminder 2- upcoming |
| 3 | Awareness and Screening in all 47 counties | 26 to 31 January, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 4 | Submission of (POE) in all 47 counties. | 2 to 6th February, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 5 | Summative Evaluation (Exams) | 9th to 13th February, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 6 | Release of summative assessment results | 18th February, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 7 | Distribution of transcripts. | 23rd February, 2026 | Upcoming |
| 8 | Distribution of certificates to youth evaluated and were successful (they met the minimum required standards) | One month after assessment (from 13 March 2026) | Upcoming |
NOTE: The RPL process under NYOTA is FREE and there are NO GRANTS to beneficiaries
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