Certificate in Welding and Fabrication
The Certificate in Welding and Fabrication is a two-year Craft Certificate programme examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and offered at technical and vocational training institutions across Kenya. It equips students with fundamental skills in arc welding, gas welding, metal fabrication, and workshop practice. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) under the TVET Act, 2013.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 134,378 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of D or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Year 1 covers entrepreneurship, information communication technology, mathematics, mechanical science, technical drawing, electrical principles, material technology and metallurgy, and fabrication and welding technology. Students learn the foundational principles of metal properties, welding processes, and safe workshop practices. Year 2 advances to communication skills, life skills, mathematics II, technical drawing II, mechanical science II, business plan, workshop organisation and management, fabrication and welding technology II, and a trade project.
The programme combines theory with extensive practical training in workshops. Students learn to perform various welding processes including arc welding, gas welding, MIG and TIG welding, and to fabricate metal structures from engineering drawings. Safety practices and quality control are emphasised throughout the training.
Entry requirements are a KCSE mean grade of D (plain) or a pass in a relevant Artisan Certificate. The programme is available at national polytechnics, technical training institutes, and vocational training centres across Kenya.
Graduates pursue careers as welders, fabricators, pipe fitters, and metal workshop assistants in construction companies, manufacturing firms, oil and gas companies, and metal fabrication workshops. The programme provides a progression pathway to a Diploma in Welding and Fabrication and subsequently to higher qualifications in mechanical engineering.
The programme includes a compulsory industrial attachment that provides students with practical workplace experience. Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive capitation funding, and HELB loans are available for eligible students. The standardised annual tuition fee at public TVET institutions is KES 67,189.
What you study
10 subjects- Fabrication and Welding Technology
- Material Technology and Metallurgy
- Technical Drawing
- Mechanical Science
- Electrical Principles
- Workshop Organisation and Management
- Mathematics
- Entrepreneurship
- Welding Processes
- Metal Fabrication
Modules
12 in the programmeEntrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship principles and business planning for welding and fabrication trades.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
ICT fundamentals including computer-aided design and digital tools for fabrication.
Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Technical mathematics including geometry, trigonometry, and calculations for fabrication.
Mechanical Science I
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Mechanical principles including forces, stress, and material behaviour under load.
Technical Drawing I
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Engineering drawing techniques for fabrication drawings and welding symbols.
Material Technology and Metallurgy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of engineering materials, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and metallurgical principles.
Fabrication and Welding Technology I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamental welding processes including arc welding, gas welding, and cutting techniques.
Electrical Principles
Year 1Semester 22 creditsCore
Electrical principles relevant to welding equipment operation and power sources.
Fabrication and Welding Technology II
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced welding processes including MIG, TIG, and specialised fabrication techniques.
Workshop Organisation and Management
Year 2Semester 12 creditsCore
Workshop layout, equipment management, quality control, and safety management.
Technical Drawing II
Year 2Semester 12 creditsCore
Advanced engineering drawings including assembly drawings and fabrication details.
Trade Project
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical fabrication project demonstrating integrated welding and fabrication competencies.
Specialisations
Arc Welding
Focus on shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) for structural and pipe welding.
MIG and TIG Welding
Specialisation in gas metal arc and gas tungsten arc welding for precision fabrication.
Pipe Welding
Focus on pipeline welding for oil, gas, and water infrastructure projects.
Metal Fabrication
Specialisation in structural steel fabrication, sheet metal work, and tank fabrication.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on metallurgy or welding theory with afternoon workshop sessions where students practise arc welding, gas cutting, and metal fabrication on practical projects under supervision.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand for welders in Kenya's construction, pipeline, and manufacturing sectors. | Physical work in hot environments requiring proper safety equipment and ventilation. |
| Low entry requirements make it accessible to a wide range of students. | Entry-level salaries may be modest until experience and additional certifications are gained. |
| Practical, hands-on training with direct application to industry needs. | Limited to workshop and site environments, which may involve irregular hours. |
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 67.2K/yr at public TVCs (jitimu.com). Private: unverified.
Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive capitation funding. HELB loans of up to KES 45,000 per year are available for eligible TVET certificate students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
KUCCPS Government Capitation
County Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 45,000Kenyan
Kenyan students placed by KUCCPS in accredited TVET institutions. Loan ranges from KES 25,000 to KES 45,000 per year for certificate students.
KUCCPS Government Capitation
SubsidyKsh 30,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored students placed by KUCCPS receive capitation funding covering most tuition costs.
County Bursary
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Various county governments offer bursaries for TVET students resident in their counties.
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
Pass in a relevant Artisan Certificate in welding, metal work, or equivalent qualification approved by KNEC.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Kitui East Technical and Vocational College, Morendat Institute Of Oil And Gas, Kenya Industrial Training Institute.
Including Kitui East Technical and Vocational College, Morendat Institute Of Oil And Gas, Kenya Industrial Training Institute.
Including Kitui East Technical and Vocational College, Morendat Institute Of Oil And Gas, Kenya Industrial Training Institute.
How you are assessed
3 componentsEnd of Module KNEC Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
KNEC-administered examinations covering theory, technical knowledge, and calculations.
Practical Workshop Assessments
Practical assessment40% of the mark
Workshop-based practical assessments evaluating welding and fabrication competencies.
Trade Project
Project10% of the mark
Final fabrication project demonstrating integrated welding and fabrication skills.
Accreditation
Kenya National Examinations Council
AcademicRequired
Examined by KNEC. Institutions must be TVETA-accredited to offer this programme.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
InstitutionalRequired
All TVET institutions offering this programme must be registered and accredited by TVETA.
Examined by KNEC and accredited by TVETA under the TVET Act, 2013. Graduates may also take NITA trade tests for additional certification.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesWelder
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 540,000
Performs arc, gas, MIG, and TIG welding in construction, manufacturing, and fabrication workshops.
Metal Fabricator
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 480,000
Fabricates metal structures, gates, tanks, and frames from engineering drawings.
Pipe Fitter
Moderate demandKsh 360,000 to Ksh 600,000
Cuts, fits, and welds pipes for oil, gas, water, and industrial pipeline projects.
Workshop Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 240,000 to Ksh 420,000
Assists in metal workshop operations including cutting, grinding, and welding.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates are in high demand as welders and fabricators in Kenya's construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Subsea Cable EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Traction Power EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Arc Welding Machine
EquipmentPrimary
MIG/MAG Welder
Equipment
Oxy-Acetylene Torch
Equipment
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Welding is unskilled labour.
Welding requires technical knowledge of metallurgy, welding processes, and quality standards, with certified welders in high demand globally.
Welders cannot progress beyond certificate level.
The certificate provides a clear progression pathway to a Diploma in Welding and Fabrication and subsequently to higher qualifications in mechanical engineering.
Welding is only for men.
The profession is open to all genders, with increasing opportunities for women in the fabrication and construction sectors.
Welding is dangerous and unhealthy.
Modern welding safety equipment, ventilation systems, and strict safety protocols minimise health risks when properly followed.