Artisan in Plumbing
The Artisan in Plumbing is a TVET-CDACC Level 4 competency-based programme that trains students in fundamental plumbing skills for the construction and building services sector. The course is examined by TVET-CDACC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn basic pipe handling, pipe cutting, jointing, fixture installation, tool handling, and plumbing site assistance.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 77,700 a year at a public institution, Ksh 77,700 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 50,250 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of KCSE Mean Grade D- (Minus) or below, or KCPE certificate or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year, full-time, with 1 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 161 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Auto Diagnostics Technician, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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 pipe handling, simple pipe cutting, basic jointing, fixture installation assistance, tool handling, site cleaning, and industrial attachment in a plumbing work environment.
Kenya's construction sector continues to experience growth with new residential, commercial, and institutional building projects creating sustained demand for plumbing support personnel. Water supply projects, sanitation programmes, and building maintenance services also require trained plumbing assistants for installation and maintenance work.
Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in workshop and site environments. Students practice pipe cutting, jointing, fixture fitting, tool use, and site assistance under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment on construction sites or with plumbing contractors where students apply their skills in real installation environments.
Graduates work as plumbing helpers, pipe fitters assistants, site assistants, and tool assistants for plumbing contractors, construction companies, and maintenance departments. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Plumbing Level 5 and Level 6 for specialised plumbing technology and supervisory roles.
This programme is suitable for KCSE certificate holders with a mean grade of E or KCPE certificate who are interested in practical plumbing skills and seeking direct entry into the construction and building services sector.
What you study
8 subjects- Basic Pipe Handling
- Simple Pipe Cutting
- Basic Jointing
- Fixture Assistance
- Tool Handling
- Workplace Safety
- Basic Cleaning
- Site Assistance
Modules
8 in the programmeWorkplace Safety
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Occupational safety and health practices on construction sites and in workshops including safe tool use, pipe handling, and personal protective equipment for plumbing work.
Basic Pipe Handling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Handling, carrying, cutting, and storing pipes safely including PVC, copper, and galvanised pipes for plumbing installation work on construction sites.
Simple Pipe Cutting
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Basic pipe cutting techniques including measuring, marking, and cutting PVC and copper pipes using hacksaws and pipe cutters for plumbing installations.
Basic Jointing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Assisting with basic pipe jointing including solvent welding, compression fittings, and pipe connection under supervision of qualified plumbers.
Fixture Assistance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Assisting plumbers with fixture installation including tap, sink, toilet, and basin mounting, connection, and basic plumbing fixture fitting support.
Tool Handling
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Identifying, selecting, and safely handling basic plumbing tools including pipe wrenches, hacksaws, pipe cutters, plungers, and measuring tapes for plumbing work.
Basic Cleaning
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cleaning work areas and maintaining tools including pipe offcut disposal, water cleanup, tool cleaning, and general housekeeping after plumbing installations.
Site Assistance
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
General assistance on plumbing work sites including material carrying, tool preparation, pipe holding, and routine support tasks during plumbing installations.
Specialisations
Pipe Fitting
Basic pipe installation and fitting support including pipe cutting, jointing assistance, fixture connection, and general support for plumbing installation work.
Water Services
Basic water supply and distribution support including pipe laying, tap installation, tank connection, and general assistance for water system plumbing installations.
Building Services
Basic plumbing support for buildings and construction including pipe routing, fixture fitting assistance, drainage installation support, and general plumbing site assistance.
Drainage Systems
Basic drainage system support including pipe laying, drain cleaning, inspection, and maintenance assistance for drainage installation and repair work.
A day as a student
Students spend virtually all their time handling pipes, cutting pipes, assisting with jointing, carrying materials, handing tools to plumbers, and cleaning work areas.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Quick entry to plumbing workforce with basic skills. | Entry-level positions have modest salaries. |
| Most affordable entry point to plumbing. | Physical work involving carrying pipes and working on sites. |
| Foundation for progression to craft, certificate, and NITA trade test. | — |
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
Public TVET 67,189-77.7K/yr (kewi.go.ke). Private: Manek 32K, NIBS 50K/yr.
TVET government funding and HELB loans are available. Artisan programmes are the most affordable entry point to plumbing.
Funding options
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) - TVET Loans
Scholarships
4 recordedTVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
BursaryKenyan
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties.
HELB TVET Loans
LoanKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCPE certificate holders are also eligible. No specific subject requirements.
When it next starts
Taught at 161 institutionsIncluding Jooust Centre Of Technical Vocational And Education Training, Wajir South Technical and Vocational College, Kajiado West Technical and Vocational College.
Including Jooust Centre Of Technical Vocational And Education Training, Wajir South Technical and Vocational College, Kajiado West Technical and Vocational College.
Including Jooust Centre Of Technical Vocational And Education Training, Wajir South Technical and Vocational College, Kajiado West Technical and Vocational College.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCompetency-Based Practical Assessment
Practicum60% of the mark
TVET-CDACC competency assessment of practical plumbing skills.
Theory Assessment
Test15% of the mark
Basic written assessment of supporting plumbing knowledge.
Practical Projects
Project25% of the mark
Completion of basic pipe handling and assistance tasks.
Accreditation
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.
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesTool Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 36,000
Handle and organise tools for plumbing work.
Site Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 24,000 to Ksh 40,000
General assistance on plumbing work sites.
Plumbing Helper
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 42,000
Assist plumbers with basic tasks on construction sites.
Pipe Carrier
Moderate demandKsh 23,000 to Ksh 38,000
Transport and handle pipes and materials on sites.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as plumbing helpers and site assistants in construction sites and plumbing contractors across Kenya.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Auto Diagnostics TechnicianTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Automotive Service AdvisorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- BlacksmithTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Boda Motorcycle MechanicTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- CNC MachinistTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Construction Safety OfficerTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Crane OperatorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Custom Apparel TailorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Artisan plumbing is not a real qualification
It is a TVET-CDACC certified qualification providing entry to the plumbing profession.
Plumbing assistance doesn't need training
Even basic plumbing tasks require safety knowledge and proper tool handling.
Artisan graduates are stuck in low-level roles
Artisan graduates can progress to craft, certificate, and NITA trade test levels.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.