Artisan in Automotive Engineering
The Artisan in Automotive Engineering is a TVET-CDACC Level 4 competency-based programme that trains students in fundamental automotive repair and maintenance skills for the motor vehicle sector. The course is examined by TVET-CDACC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn basic vehicle maintenance, tool handling, parts cleaning, garage assistance, and workshop safety practices.
The curriculum covers basic units including communication skills, numeracy skills, digital literacy, entrepreneurial skills, employability skills, environmental literacy, and occupational safety and health practices. Core units focus on basic vehicle maintenance, tool handling, parts cleaning, garage assistance, tyre service, oil changing, and industrial attachment in an automotive workshop.
Kenya's automotive sector with its growing vehicle fleet creates sustained demand for entry-level automotive repair personnel. Garages, motor vehicle service centres, transport companies, and fleet operators require trained assistants for vehicle maintenance, repair support, and workshop operations.
Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in automotive workshop environments. Students practice tool handling, parts cleaning, basic maintenance tasks, tyre service, and garage assistance under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment in automotive garages or service centres where students apply their skills in real repair environments.
Graduates work as garage assistants, vehicle maintenance helpers, parts cleaners, and workshop assistants in automotive garages, service centres, transport companies, and fleet maintenance departments. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Automotive Engineering Level 5 and Level 6 for specialised automotive technology and diagnostic roles.
This programme is suitable for KCSE certificate holders with a mean grade of E or KCPE certificate who are interested in motor vehicles and seeking entry-level positions in the automotive repair and maintenance sector.
- Duration
- 1 year
- Public, up to
- Ksh 67,189
- Private, up to
- Ksh 55,250
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 1 months
- Average class
- 30 students
- Award
- Artisan Certificate
What you study
8 subjects- Basic Vehicle Cleaning
- Tyre Checking
- Oil Level Checking
- Tool Handling
- Workshop Cleanliness
- Basic Vehicle Inspection
- Workplace Safety
- Basic Material Handling
Modules
8 in the programmeWorkplace Safety
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Occupational safety and health practices in automotive workshop environments including safe tool use, vehicle lifting, and personal protective equipment for garage work.
Basic Vehicle Cleaning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Cleaning vehicles including washing, interior cleaning, and engine bay cleaning.
Tyre Checking
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Checking tyre pressure, tread condition, and tyre wear patterns using pressure gauges and visual inspection to assess roadworthiness and safety.
Oil Level Checking
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Checking engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and coolant levels using dipsticks and visual inspection to ensure proper vehicle fluid maintenance.
Tool Handling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Identifying, selecting, and safely handling basic automotive tools including spanners, sockets, jacks, and wheel braces for routine vehicle service tasks.
Workshop Cleanliness
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Maintaining clean and organised automotive workshop areas including tool storage, floor cleaning, waste oil disposal, and general workshop housekeeping.
Basic Vehicle Inspection
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Visual vehicle inspection covering lights, indicators, wipers, mirrors, and body condition to identify obvious defects and report findings to mechanics.
Basic Material Handling
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Handling, organising, and storing automotive parts, consumables, and workshop materials including stock arrangement and basic inventory awareness.
Specialisations
Mechanic Support
General assistance to automotive mechanics including tool preparation, vehicle cleaning, parts fetching, and routine support tasks during vehicle repair and service.
Vehicle Cleaning
Specialisation in vehicle cleaning and preparation including washing, interior cleaning, engine bay cleaning, and vehicle presentation for customer delivery.
Workshop Support
Focus on supporting automotive workshop operations including tool organisation, workshop cleanliness, material handling, and basic vehicle preparation for servicing.
Tyre Service
Specialisation in basic tyre checking and service including pressure monitoring, tread inspection, tyre rotation, and basic tyre maintenance for vehicle safety.
A day as a student
Students spend virtually all their time in workshops cleaning vehicles, checking fluid levels, handling tools, and assisting with basic vehicle tasks. The focus is on building basic automotive support skills through hands-on practice.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Quick entry to automotive workforce with basic skills.
- Most affordable entry point to automotive trades.
- Foundation for progression to craft, certificate, and diploma in automotive.
Against it
- Entry-level positions have modest salaries.
- Basic skills limit initial job options to support roles.
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
TVET 67,189/yr public. NIBS 55,250/yr incl practical (tvet.co.ke).
TVET government funding and HELB loans are available. Artisan programmes are the most affordable entry point to automotive trades.
Funding options
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) - TVET Loans
Scholarships
4 recordedNational Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
BursaryKenyan
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties, targeting vulnerable learners.
TVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions, based on financial need.
HELB TVET Loans
LoanKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions, based on financial need.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- KCSE Mean Grade D- (Minus) or below, or KCPE certificate
- Alternative entry
- KCPE certificate holders are also eligible. No specific subject requirements.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCompetency-Based Practical Assessment
Practicum60% of the mark
TVET-CDACC competency assessment of practical automotive support skills.
Practical Projects
Project25% of the mark
Completion of basic automotive support task projects.
Theory Assessment
Test15% of the mark
Basic written assessment of supporting automotive knowledge.
Accreditation
Accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and certified by TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (TVET-CDACC) under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF). The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.
Accredited by
TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council
NationalRequired
Examining and certifying body for competency-based programmes under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all TVET institutions and programmes in Kenya.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesVehicle Cleaning Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 40,000
Clean and prepare vehicles in garages and service centres.
Workshop Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 45,000
Support workshop operations including tool and material handling.
Tyre Service Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 42,000
Assist with tyre checking, inflation, and basic tyre service.
Mechanic Mate
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 48,000
Assist mechanics with basic tasks in automotive workshops.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as mechanic mates and vehicle cleaning assistants in garages and service centres across Kenya.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Welding & Metal FabricationEngineering15Low exposure
- Modular / Prefab Construction EngineerEngineering16Low exposure
- HVAC / Building Services EngineerEngineering19Low exposure
- Mining EngineerEngineering21Low exposure
- PlumbingEngineering22Low exposure
- Automotive TechnicianEngineering24Low exposure
- Construction Technology SpecialistEngineering24Low exposure
- Biomedical EngineeringEngineering26Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Artisan in Automotive Engineering are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.