The Public Service Commission (PSC) has launched a major review of its Public Service Internship Programme (PSIP) that could significantly expand government internship opportunities for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and diploma graduates.
The proposed changes mark a shift from a programme that has traditionally favoured university degree holders, potentially unlocking public sector placements for hundreds of thousands of technically trained young Kenyans.
PSC moves to broaden internship eligibility
For years, the Public Service Internship Programme has primarily targeted graduates holding a first bachelor's degree from recognised universities, leaving diploma and TVET graduates ineligible despite growing demand for technical skills across government.
That could soon change. PSC Chairperson Francis Meja announced that the commission has begun reviewing the programme's policy framework to accommodate graduates from diploma programmes and TVET institutions.
“PSC has commenced the process of reviewing the PSIP Policy with a view to accommodating graduates from diploma programs and TVET,” Meja said during a meeting with Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya on Tuesday.
If approved, the reforms will broaden access to internship opportunities across ministries, state departments and government agencies.
Thousands of technical graduates stand to benefit
The review comes as Kenya continues to expand its technical and vocational education sector.
The country now has more than 2,400 accredited TVET institutions, including national polytechnics, technical colleges and vocational training centres that collectively enrol hundreds of thousands of students each year.
Government data shows TVET enrolment has grown rapidly, with approximately 718,000 students currently pursuing technical training.
The latest Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) placement cycle also reflected increasing interest in diploma education, with 28,246 students placed at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), 765 at Kenya Utalii College and 500 at the Kenya School of Law.
Despite this growth, many graduates from technical institutions have struggled to access internship opportunities available to university graduates.
PSIP applications already underway
The policy review comes as PSC continues receiving applications for the ninth cohort of the Public Service Internship Programme for the 2026/2027 financial year.
The recruitment drive seeks to place more than 3,000 interns in government institutions for a 12-month, non-renewable internship.
Applications close on August 17.
Successful applicants will receive a government-funded monthly stipend, historically set at about Ksh25,000.
The announcement also follows President William Ruto's recent directive ordering PSC to expand internship opportunities across the public service to absorb more young graduates into government employment.
The proposed inclusion of TVET and diploma graduates signals a broader shift towards recognising technical education as an increasingly important pillar of Kenya's workforce development strategy.
