Students who sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations in 2025 and earlier years can now apply for Technical and Vocational Education and Training courses after the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service opened the application window for the May 2026 intake.
In a notice issued to candidates on Monday, the placement agency said the opportunity targets learners interested in enrolling in technical institutions across the country. The programmes are offered in National Polytechnics, Technical Training Institutes, Institutes of Science and Technology, and other accredited technical colleges.
KUCCPS encouraged eligible students to log into the student portal and select their preferred courses, noting that applicants with any KCSE mean grade are allowed to apply for various TVET programmes.
The agency also clarified that the exercise is not limited to those who completed secondary school in 2025. Candidates who sat the KCSE in previous years can also submit their applications and compete for available slots in the institutions.
According to KUCCPS, the application window will remain open until March 18, 2026. After the deadline, the agency will begin the process of placing successful applicants in the different institutions for the May intake.
TVET institutions offer hands-on training designed to equip learners with practical skills required in the labour market. Courses are offered in areas such as engineering, information and communication technology, hospitality, construction, and business.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service is a state corporation responsible for coordinating the placement of government-sponsored students into universities, colleges, and technical institutions.
The body was established under the Universities Act and is also tasked with developing career guidance programmes, sharing information on available courses, and promoting fair access to higher education opportunities.
In addition to coordinating placements, KUCCPS manages the application process, sets minimum entry requirements for programmes, and allocates students to institutions based on merit, their course preferences, and the capacity available in different colleges.
Successful applicants will join accredited institutions in May to begin training programmes aimed at building practical skills across various technical fields.
The placement agency operates several online platforms that help students, parents, and learning institutions access information and services related to student placement.
According to KUCCPS, the digital systems allow users to browse courses available in different institutions, submit applications, and update programme details depending on the user’s role.
Students seeking placement into universities, colleges, and technical institutions are required to use the Student’s Portal. Through this platform, they can view institutions, check programmes on offer, and confirm the minimum entry requirements before submitting their course applications.
Institutions, on the other hand, use the Institution’s Portal, which is meant for university vice-chancellors, college principals, or their authorised representatives. The system allows them to declare or update programme capacities and institutional information to support the national placement exercise.
The portal also enables institutions to access placement data related to their programmes and students.
KUCCPS noted that the Principal’s Portal had previously been used by secondary schools to submit course applications on behalf of their KCSE candidates under the School or Centre Application system.
However, the placement agency said the system was discontinued in 2023. Schools that require more information have been advised to contact the placement service directly for guidance.
KUCCPS continues to encourage students and other stakeholders to make use of the online platforms to easily access placement services and information on academic programmes offered in institutions across the country.
