There is a tremendous need in Kenya, and indeed globally, to prepare youth for new economic opportunities by improving their skills, employability, industry competitiveness and capacity for innovation. Recognizing this need, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) decided to prioritize investments in innovation and focused on an area that is often overlooked in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector.

There is a growing consensus that encouraging innovation among youth in TVET significantly increases their capacity to solve societal problems and prepare for an unpredictable future. However, one key hindrance is often the lack of funds to commercialize innovations or even develop the initial idea to its full capacity. As a means of incentivizing innovative thinking, RVTTI developed the Innovation Awards in 2015.