Trends in Programmes and Enrolment Patterns in Technical and Vocational Education and Training in East Africa

East Africa recently has witnessed a substantial transformation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes and enrolment patterns across the region. This study explored the trends in developing programmes and enrolments in TVET across East Africa, specifically within the transportation, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors. The study used a positivism research philosophy and a quantitative approach. Furthermore, the study used a descriptive research design from which data were collected from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania in 9 institutions among 17 regional flagship institutions, implementing the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP). The data were collected through documentary review of enrolment databases of the surveyed TVET institutions. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, especially cross-tabulation with frequencies and percentages. The findings reveal that the trends in enrolment varied from one institution to another and from one specific sector to another (from one specific programme to another). In the transportation sector, the National Institute of Transport in Tanzania reported steady growth in enrolments linked to government investments in infrastructure. Conversely, Kombocha TVET Polytechnic in Ethiopia noted a decline in enrolments despite expansion in its programmes. In the manufacturing sector, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology-Mwanza Campus developed programmes consistently, and the enrolment increased steadily. The renewable energy sector in Arusha Technical College experienced an increase in enrolments in long-term programmes. These findings carry several policy implications, such as harmonisation of TVET qualifications, alignment with labour market demands, strengthening industry partnerships, enhancing trainer competency and addressing implementation gaps noted from the submitted trends and patterns.