Business

Artisan in Supply Chain Management

The Artisan in Supply Chain Management is a TVET-CDACC Level 4 competency-based programme that trains students in fundamental supply chain and logistics support skills for business organisations. The course is examined by TVET-CDACC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn basic procurement assistance, goods handling, dispatch support, record keeping, and logistics operations.

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 goods handling, dispatch assistance, receiving support, record keeping, stock movement, and industrial attachment in a supply chain or logistics environment.

Kenya's logistics and supply chain sector continues to expand with growth in e-commerce, manufacturing, and distribution networks creating demand for entry-level supply chain support personnel. Transport companies, warehouses, manufacturing firms, and retail organisations require trained assistants for logistics and supply chain operations.

Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in warehouse and logistics environments. Students practice goods handling, dispatch support, receiving, record keeping, and stock movement under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment in logistics companies or supply chain departments where students apply their skills in real operations.

Graduates work as logistics helpers, dispatch assistants, receiving clerks, supply chain assistants, and warehouse helpers in transport companies, manufacturing firms, retail organisations, and distribution centres. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Supply Chain Management Level 5 and Level 6 for specialised procurement and logistics roles.

This programme is suitable for KCSE certificate holders with a mean grade of E or KCPE certificate who are interested in logistics and supply chain operations and seeking entry-level positions in the sector.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
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 Procurement
Stock Handling
Basic Logistics
Supplier Handling
Basic Records
Delivery Assistance
Workplace Safety
Supply Chain Assistance

Modules

8 in the programme

Workplace Safety
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Occupational safety and health practices in supply chain environments including warehouse safety, material handling, and personal protective equipment.
Basic Procurement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Basic procurement procedures and assistance including requisition processing, supplier communication, and purchase order preparation support.
Stock Handling
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Handling and managing stock including receiving, sorting, storing, and organising materials for efficient warehouse and supply operations.
Basic Logistics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic logistics and transport assistance including delivery scheduling, route preparation, and transport coordination support for supply operations.
Supplier Handling
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Basic supplier interaction and handling including order follow-up, delivery confirmation, and communication with suppliers for procurement support.
Basic Records
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Basic supply chain record keeping including goods received notes, issue vouchers, stock cards, and simple procurement documentation.
Delivery Assistance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Assisting with deliveries and dispatch including loading, unloading, delivery note preparation, and basic dispatch coordination.
Supply Chain Assistance
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
General supply chain support including filing, data entry, document preparation, and routine assistance to procurement and logistics staff.

Specialisations

Transport
Basic transport operations support including delivery scheduling, vehicle loading assistance, route preparation, and basic transport coordination for supply chain.
Warehousing
Basic warehouse and stores support including stock receiving, sorting, stacking, material handling, and general warehouse operations assistance.
Logistics
Basic logistics and transportation support including delivery coordination, dispatch assistance, route planning, and basic logistics operations support.
Dispatch Support
Basic dispatch and delivery support including order picking, packing, loading, delivery coordination, and dispatch documentation for logistics operations.

A day as a student

Students spend virtually all their time in practical sessions — handling stock, assisting with procurement, managing deliveries, keeping basic records, and performing basic supply chain tasks.

The trade offs

In its favour

Supply chain skills are needed across all sectors.
Quick entry to supply chain workforce.
Foundation for progression to certificate and diploma in supply chain.

Against it

Entry-level positions have modest salaries.
Work can be repetitive.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Kisii University TVETA67k at Public TVET colleges

Annual 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/yr (scholarmedia.africa). Private: unverified for artisan level.

TVET government funding and HELB loans are available.

Funding options

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) - TVET Loans

Scholarships

4 recorded

TVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties.
HELB TVET Loans
LoanKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
BursaryKenyan
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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 components

Competency-Based Practical Assessment
Practicum60% of the mark
TVET-CDACC competency assessment of practical supply chain skills.
Theory Assessment
Test15% of the mark
Basic written assessment of supporting supply chain knowledge.
Practical Projects
Project25% of the mark
Completion of basic supply chain tasks.

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

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all TVET institutions and programmes in Kenya.
TVET Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council
NationalRequired
Examining and certifying body for competency-based programmes under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Delivery Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 38,000
Support delivery and dispatch operations.
Logistics Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 24,000 to Ksh 42,000
Support logistics and transport operations.
Supply Chain Helper
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 45,000
Support supply chain operations.
Procurement Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 48,000
Support procurement operations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as supply chain helpers and procurement assistants in businesses, logistics companies, and government departments across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.