Certificate in Metal Processing Technology
The Certificate in Metal Processing Technology is a KNEC Craft Certificate programme that trains students in metal processing, foundry operations, and metallurgical skills for the manufacturing sector. The course is examined by KNEC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn metal casting, forming, heat treatment, welding, quality control, and foundry operations.
The curriculum covers communication skills, mathematics, science, technical drawing, information communication technology, entrepreneurship, and occupational safety. Core units include metal processing principles, foundry technology, metal casting, metal forming, heat treatment, metal testing, metallurgy, workshop safety, and industrial attachment in a foundry or metal processing workshop.
Kenya's manufacturing sector, including steel production, metal fabrication, automotive parts manufacturing, and construction materials, creates demand for certified metal processing personnel. Foundries, metal fabrication workshops, steel mills, and manufacturing companies require trained technicians for production and quality control operations.
Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in foundry and workshop environments. Students practice metal casting, forming, heat treatment, testing, and equipment operation under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment in foundries or metal processing companies where students apply their skills in real manufacturing environments.
Graduates work as foundry technicians, metal processing assistants, quality control assistants, heat treatment technicians, and casting operators in foundries, steel mills, metal fabrication companies, and manufacturing plants. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Diploma in Metallurgical Engineering for specialised metallurgy and materials engineering roles.
This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of D (plain) who are interested in metal work and manufacturing and seeking technical positions in the metal processing and foundry sector.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 42,600
- Job market
- Moderate
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Certificate
What you study
8 subjects- Metal Processing Principles
- Foundry Technology
- Metal Casting
- Heat Treatment
- Metallurgy
- Metal Testing
- Metal Forming
- Quality Control
Modules
10 in the programmeIntroduction to Metal Processing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Metal processing concepts, industry overview, and career opportunities in metallurgical and manufacturing industries.
Metal Processing Principles
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of metal processing and manufacturing including casting, forming, machining, and fabrication fundamentals.
Foundry Technology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Foundry operations, moulding, and casting including pattern making, sand preparation, melting, and pouring for metal casting.
Metal Casting
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Sand casting, die casting, and investment casting processes for producing metal components in foundry operations.
Heat Treatment
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Annealing, hardening, tempering, and heat treatment processes for improving metal properties and performance in manufacturing applications.
Metallurgy
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Metal properties, microstructure, and metallurgical science including crystal structures, phase diagrams, and material behaviour.
Metal Testing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Mechanical testing, hardness testing, and metal analysis including tensile testing, impact testing, and non-destructive testing methods.
Metal Forming
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Rolling, forging, extrusion, and metal forming processes for shaping metal components in manufacturing operations.
Quality Control
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Quality standards, inspection methods, and quality assurance procedures for metal processing and manufacturing operations.
Workshop Safety
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Safety in foundry and metal processing environments including PPE, hazard control, and safe operating procedures.
Specialisations
Metal Forming
Focus on rolling, forging, and forming processes for shaping metal components including press operations and forming technology.
Heat Treatment
Specialisation in heat treatment processes including annealing, hardening, tempering, and surface treatment for improved metal properties.
Quality Control
Specialisation in metal quality testing including mechanical testing, hardness testing, and non-destructive inspection methods.
Foundry Operations
Focus on foundry and casting operations including moulding, melting, pouring, casting, and foundry quality control procedures.
A day as a student
Students attend theory on metallurgy and foundry technology, followed by workshop sessions in metal casting, heat treatment, metal forming, and quality testing.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Kenya's manufacturing sector needs metal processing personnel.
- Specialised skills are valued by steel mills and foundries.
- Clear pathway to diploma and degree in metallurgical engineering.
Against it
- Foundry work involves heat, molten metal, and fumes.
- Requires understanding of chemistry and metallurgy.
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
Mathare VTC 34.1K, Kisumu Poly 42.6K/yr (vtc.nairobi.go.ke, kenyaeducationguide.com).
TVET government funding and HELB loans are available. Steel mills sometimes offer internships.
Funding options
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) - TVET Loans
Scholarships
4 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties.
TVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions.
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 (Plain)
- Alternative entry
- Artisan Certificate in a relevant field or equivalent qualification.
How you are assessed
4 componentsFinal Certificate Examination
Exam100% of the mark
KNEC national examination for certificate in metal processing technology.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Test20% of the mark
Regular tests on metallurgy, casting, and processing.
Practical Workshop Exercises
Practicum40% of the mark
Hands-on assessment of casting, heat treatment, and metal processing.
Processing Project
Project20% of the mark
Complete a metal processing project from casting to finishing.
Accreditation
Accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and examined by Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) 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.
Kenya National Examination Council
NationalRequired
Examining body for national certificate and craft certificate programmes under the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesQuality Control Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 44,000 to Ksh 82,000
Support metal quality testing and inspection.
Foundry Technician
Moderate demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 92,000
Support foundry operations and metal casting.
Heat Treatment Technician
Low demandKsh 46,000 to Ksh 88,000
Perform heat treatment on metal products.
Metal Processing Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Support metal processing and manufacturing operations.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as foundry technicians and metal processing assistants in steel mills, foundries, and metal manufacturing companies across Kenya.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Auto Diagnostics TechnicianTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Automotive Service AdvisorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- BlacksmithTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- CNC MachinistTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Construction Safety OfficerTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Crane OperatorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Electrical Contractor (Small Business)Trades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Generator & Diesel MechanicTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Certificate in Metal Processing Technology are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.