Business

Certificate in Human Resource Management

The Certificate in Human Resource Management is a foundational qualification examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) that equips learners with practical skills in human resource management functions. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level HR positions in organisations across Kenya's public and private sectors.

Students develop competencies in elements of human resource management, office administration, labour law and industrial relations, and bookkeeping. The curriculum also covers communication skills, information communication technology, entrepreneurship, and commerce, ensuring graduates have a well-rounded understanding of both HR functions and the broader business environment.

Kenya's job market maintains steady demand for HR support staff as organisations of all sizes require personnel to manage recruitment, payroll, records, and employee relations. The programme aligns with the needs of corporate HR departments, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and small to medium enterprises.

The programme is delivered through full-time, part-time, and weekend study modes at technical training institutes, national polytechnics, and specialised colleges such as the College of Human Resource Management (CHRM). Teaching combines classroom instruction with practical exercises, research projects, and field practicum. A business plan is completed in module 1 and a research project in module 2.

Graduates can work as HR assistants, records clerks, office administrators, and payroll clerks in various organisations. Many proceed to pursue the Diploma in Human Resource Management or register with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) for professional certification.

This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of D (plain) who wish to enter the human resource profession and seeking technical positions in HR management and personnel administration.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 50,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Weekend
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Elements of Human Resource Management
Office Administration and Management
Labour Law and Industrial Relations
Bookkeeping and Accounts
Communication Skills
Information Communication Technology
Commerce
Entrepreneurship Education
Business Finance
Business Calculations and Statistics

Modules

11 in the programme

Elements of Human Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to HR functions including recruitment, selection, performance management, compensation, and HR information systems.
Office Administration and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Office management procedures, administrative support functions, and organisational communication.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business communication, interpersonal skills, and workplace communication techniques.
Information and Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications in HR, use of HR information systems, and digital workplace tools.
Commerce
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Business environment, trade, and commercial principles relevant to HR operations.
Entrepreneurship Education and Business Plan
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Entrepreneurship principles and development of a business plan as a module 1 project.
Practice of Human Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical application of HR functions including recruitment exercises, performance appraisal, and employee welfare management.
Elements of Labour Law and Industrial Relations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Kenyan labour law, employment contracts, industrial relations, dispute resolution, and worker rights.
Bookkeeping and Accounts
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Basic bookkeeping principles, payroll accounting, and financial record management for HR operations.
Research Project
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Research project on a human resource management topic, completed as a module 2 requirement.
Field Practicum
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical attachment in an HR department to gain hands-on experience in HR operations.

Specialisations

Recruitment and Selection
Focus on job analysis, recruitment processes, interviewing techniques, and candidate selection for building effective workforce teams in organisations.
Payroll and Compensation
Focus on salary structures, payroll processing, statutory deductions, and benefits administration for managing employee compensation in organisations.
Employee Records Management
Focus on maintaining employee files, HR information systems, and data privacy compliance for effective human resource records administration.
Labour Relations
Focus on labour law, industrial relations, dispute resolution, and employee grievance handling for managing workplace relations in organisations.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on elements of human resource management or office administration, followed by practical sessions where students practise recruitment processes, payroll calculations, and employee record management. Afternoon sessions cover labour law, communication skills, or ICT, with students using spreadsheet software for payroll and HR data management. Group discussions on workplace scenarios and case studies are common.

The trade offs

In its favour

Short duration of 1 year allows quick entry into HR support roles.
Provides a direct pathway to diploma and professional IHRM certification.
HR skills are needed in every organisation, ensuring broad employment opportunities.
Low entry requirement (KCSE D plain with D+ in English and Mathematics) makes it accessible.

Against it

Career progression to HR officer or manager roles requires diploma or degree qualifications.
Entry-level salaries are modest, typically ranging from KES 22,000 to KES 40,000 per month.

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 Public TVET colleges (standardized rate)67k at Public TVET colleges (standardized rate)

Private22k to 50k

22k at College of Human Resource Management (CHRM)50k at Kabarak University

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

TVET 67,189/yr public. Pvt: CHRM 21.6K/yr, Kabarak 25K/sem (chrm.or.ke).

Students can access HELB TVET loans of up to KES 40,000, government capitation of KES 30,000 per year through TVETA, and county government bursaries.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
TVET Capitation (Government Scholarship)
County Government Bursaries
NGAAF Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

HELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions.
Government TVET Capitation
ScholarshipKsh 30,000Kenyan
All students enrolled in public TVET institutions through KUCCPS placement.
County Government Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties enrolled in TVET programmes. Amounts vary by county.
NGAAF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Needy students from marginalised areas through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: D
Alternative entry: Relevant artisan certificate or equivalent qualification as recognised by KNQA.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester tests covering theory and practical exercises.
KNEC Final Examination
Exam70% of the mark
National examination administered by KNEC at the end of each module, covering all course units.
Business Plan and Research Project
Project0% of the mark
Business plan completed in module 1 and research project completed in module 2, assessed as part of coursework.

Accreditation

Examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF). Institutions offering the programme are accredited by TVETA. Graduates are encouraged to register with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) for professional recognition.

Accredited by

Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory examination body for certificate-level qualifications under KNQF.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA)
Institutional accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering certificate programmes in Kenya.
Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM)
Professional accreditation
Professional body for HR practitioners in Kenya. Graduates are encouraged to register for professional recognition.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

HR Assistant
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 45,000
Supports HR department in recruitment, onboarding, record-keeping, and employee relations.
Records Clerk
Moderate demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 38,000
Maintains employee files, HR records, and ensures compliance with data management policies.
Payroll Clerk
High demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 42,000
Processes payroll, manages statutory deductions (NSSF, NHIF, PAYE), and maintains payroll records.
Office Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 24,000 to Ksh 45,000
Manages office operations, administrative support functions, and staff coordination.
Training Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 48,000
Assists in organising training programmes, maintaining training records, and coordinating staff development activities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as HR assistants, records clerks, office administrators, and payroll clerks in corporate organisations, government agencies, and NGOs across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Used for payroll calculations, HR data management, and employee record-keeping.
Microsoft Word
SoftwarePrimary
Used for HR correspondence, employment contracts, and policy documentation.
HR Information Systems
Software
Digital HR management platforms used for employee records, leave management, and performance tracking.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

HR is just about hiring and firing
HR encompasses recruitment, training, compensation, employee relations, compliance with labour laws, performance management, and organisational development.
You need a degree to work in HR
Many entry-level HR roles such as HR assistant, records clerk, and payroll clerk accept certificate holders, with progression through professional qualifications.
Certificate in HRM only leads to clerical jobs
Graduates can work as HR assistants, recruitment support officers, payroll clerks, and training assistants, with opportunities to advance to officer roles.
HR is not marketable in Kenya
Every organisation with employees requires HR functions, ensuring consistent demand for HR support staff across all sectors of the economy.