With the release of KCSE results, many families across Kenya are now making one of the most important decisions in a young person’s life: what course to pursue after secondary school. Technology and ICT programs continue to attract massive interest but choosing a tech course should never be about following trends or “going with the wind.” It must be a strategic, long-term decision based on skills relevance, employability, and career growth.
As someone who has spent years building national digital systems, training youth, and working directly with government, donors, and private institutions in Kenya, I have seen firsthand how the right educational choices open doors—and how the wrong ones quietly limit potential.
I would therefore like to highlight what parents should focus on when selecting ICT and technology courses, why Diploma programs matter in TVET, and where families can find credible career guidance and mentorship.
1. Look Beyond the Course Title
Technology is not a single career path. ICT can lead to software development, networking, cybersecurity, data analysis, system administration, AI, and digital product design. Before choosing a course, parents should ask:
- What career roles does this course prepare my child for?
- What real skills will they gain?
- Is the training practical or mostly theoretical?
From my experience working on national systems such as the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), Internship Portals, and Skills Databases, I can tell you this: employers rarely ask what your course was called. They ask, “What can you build? What can you configure? What problems can you solve?”
I have met graduates with impressive-sounding qualifications who struggled because their training lacked practical depth. Meanwhile, others with strong foundational skills were quickly absorbed into meaningful technical roles.
2. Build Strong Foundations, Not Shortcuts
Technology careers are built on fundamentals. While short programs may seem attractive because they are faster or cheaper, many offer only surface-level exposure.
In my own journey from systems development and cybersecurity to national ICT platforms I did not grow by chasing shortcuts. Every major project I have handled required deep understanding of logic, system architecture, data management, and security. These are not skills you gain overnight.
Tools will change. Programming languages will evolve. But strong foundations in computing and problem-solving ensure that a learner can adapt to any new technology.
3. For TVET ICT Courses: Start at Diploma Level
For students choosing the TVET pathway in ICT, I strongly recommend starting at Diploma level rather than Certificate level.
Why Diploma Matters in ICT:
- Provides deeper, structured technical training
- Is better recognized by employers
- Offers clearer progression to Degree programs and professional certifications
- Prepares learners for mid-level technical and professional roles
I have supervised interns, trainees, and junior developers from both certificate and diploma backgrounds. In most cases, Diploma students are better equipped to handle complex systems, documentation, and real project environments.
Many certificate graduates later have to “relearn” what they missed, costing them time and money. A Diploma gives your child a stronger foundation from the start.
4. Ensure Industry Relevance and Practical Exposure
ICT is a skills-driven field. Employers care less about what you memorized and more about what you can actually do.
From my work implementing national platforms for employment systems, education tracking, and digital public services, one pattern is clear:
Graduates who have handled real projects integrate faster into the workplace.
Before choosing an institution, parents should ask:
- Does the program include practical labs and projects?
- Are there structured industrial attachments or internships?
- Are students exposed to real systems, not just classroom simulations?
I have seen brilliant students struggle simply because they had never touched live systems before employment.
5. Think Long-Term, Not Just About What Is Trending
Every year, new buzzwords emerge AI, blockchain, data science, cybersecurity. While these fields matter, not every trend leads to sustainable employment.
In my work across Kenya’s digital transformation projects, the professionals who last are those with transferable core skills:
- Programming and logical thinking
- Networking and system design
- Data handling and analysis
- Cybersecurity fundamentals and ethical computing
These allow professionals to move across technologies as the industry evolves.
6. Choose Institutions Carefully, Not Just Courses
The quality of training, instructors, facilities, and industry partnerships matters as much as the qualification itself.
I have worked with institutions where Diploma graduates outperform Degree holders simply because the training was practical, well-structured, and connected to real-world projects.
Parents should evaluate:
- Curriculum depth and relevance
- Trainer competence and industry exposure
- Internship and employer partnerships
- Graduate employability outcomes
Where Parents and Students Can Get Reliable Career Insights & Mentorship
One major challenge today is information overload. Not every online influencer or content creator is a career expert.
I constantly remind young people: not every loud voice online understands labour markets, skills planning, or industry demand.
Here are credible sources for guidance:
1. Government and National Skills Platforms
- Kenya Labour Market Information System (KLMIS) – Skills demand and job trends
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) – Employment and education data
- Ministry of Labour & Social Protection – Workforce planning and policy reports
- TVET Authority (TVETA) – Accreditation of legitimate TVET institutions
These are the same platforms I work with when designing national skills and employment systems.
2. Universities, TVET Colleges, and Career Offices
Institutions can explain:
- Course structure and career pathways
- Diploma-to-Degree progression
- Internship and industry exposure
Parents should attend open days and consult academic advisors before enrollment.
3. Professional Bodies, Tech Hubs, and Innovation Centres
- Kenya’s tech ecosystem includes:
- Developer communities and ICT associations
- Innovation hubs and incubators
- Digital skills programs and bootcamps
I regularly interact with these communities, and they provide mentorship that no brochure can offer.
4. Structured Mentorship and Career Platforms
Look for programs that offer:
- Career coaching
- Internship placements
- Skills mapping and job matching
These platforms help learners connect education to real employment.
Choosing a technology course is not just about what is popular today it is about preparing your child for the future of work.
From my experience building national digital systems, mentoring young professionals, and working across both government and private sector projects, one lesson stands out:
in ICT, strong foundations, practical skills, and industry-relevant training matter far more than course titles or trends.
What determines long-term success is not how fashionable a program sounds, but whether it equips a learner with real problem-solving ability, technical depth, and the flexibility to grow as technology evolves.
Parents who research career pathways, consult credible experts, and guide their children toward structured, practical, and relevant programs give them a far greater chance of long-term success.
Informed choices today build sustainable digital careers tomorrow.