Engineering

Diploma in Autobody Technology

The TVET CDACC Diploma in Autobody Technology (Level 6) is a competency-based education and training (CBET) qualification, developed with GIZ support, that trains technicians in vehicle structure repair, panel beating, and spray painting to national occupational standards.

Students cover vehicle structure welding, vehicle body repair, panel beating, spray painting and surface preparation, alongside basic units in communication, work ethics, applied mathematics, and technical drawing relevant to the automotive body-repair trade. Skills RequiredVehicle Structure WeldingPanel BeatingSpray PaintingVehicle Body RepairSurface PreparationTechnical DrawingKey SubjectsVehicle Structure WeldingVehicle Body RepairPanel BeatingSpray PaintingCommunication SkillsApplied MathematicsTechnical DrawingCertificationsTVET CDACC Diploma in Autobody Technology (Level 6)National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Trade TestSpecializationsPanel BeatingFocus on reshaping and repairing damaged vehicle body panels. Spray Painting and FinishingFocus on surface preparation, colour matching, and paint application for vehicle bodies. Vehicle Structure WeldingFocus on structural welding repairs for vehicle chassis and body frames.

Kenya's growing vehicle fleet, including a large secondhand import market prone to accident damage, sustains steady demand for skilled autobody technicians at garages, insurance-approved repair centres, and vehicle assembly plants.

As a CBET qualification, training is delivered in modules assessed against national occupational standards, combining workshop practicals in welding, panel beating, and spray painting with classroom units, at institutions such as Kenya Coast National Polytechnic.

Graduates typically work as autobody technicians, panel beaters, and spray painters in garages, insurance-approved repair centres, and vehicle assembly or bodybuilding companies.

The programme suits KCSE graduates and certificate holders who enjoy hands-on metalwork and want a practical trade qualification with strong self-employment potential.

Duration: 2 years (competency-based, modular)
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: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

7 subjects

Vehicle Structure Welding
Vehicle Body Repair
Panel Beating
Spray Painting
Communication Skills
Applied Mathematics
Technical Drawing

Modules

10 in the programme

Panel Beating
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Panel repair and shaping techniques as applied to autobody technology principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Vehicle Body Repair
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Repair techniques for damaged vehicle body panels for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Vehicle Structure Welding I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structural welding techniques for vehicle chassis and body frames for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Vehicle Welding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Welding for autobody repair including joint preparation, welding techniques, safety procedures, and quality inspection methods.
Panel Beating
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Reshaping and restoring vehicle body panels to original form for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Surface Preparation and Painting
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Painting and surface finishing as applied to autobody technology principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Body Alignment and Chassis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Frame alignment and chassis repair as applied to autobody technology principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Spray Painting and Surface Preparation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Priming, sanding, and paint application techniques for vehicle bodies for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Applied Mathematics and Technical Drawing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Mathematics and drawing skills relevant to autobody repair work for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Estimating and Costing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cost estimation for autobody repairs including bookkeeping, financial statements, and cost analysis for business decision-making.

Specialisations

Panel Beating
Focus on reshaping and repairing damaged vehicle body panels, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Spray Painting and Finishing
Focus on surface preparation, colour matching, and paint application for vehicle bodies, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Vehicle Structure Welding
Focus on structural welding repairs for vehicle chassis and body frames, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Frame and Chassis Alignment
Focus on vehicle frame measurement, chassis straightening, and structural alignment using hydraulic equipment and electronic measuring systems for accident-damaged vehicles.

A day as a student

Most of the day is spent in the workshop practising welding, panel beating, and spray painting techniques on real vehicle bodies, with classroom sessions covering technical drawing, materials, and work-ethics units.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand driven by Kenya's large secondhand vehicle fleet and accident-repair market.
Strong self-employment potential — many technicians eventually run their own garage.

Against it

Physically demanding work involving fumes, noise, and repetitive manual tasks.
Naming inconsistency between 'Autobody Technician' and 'Autobody Technology' across institutions can cause confusion for applicants.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Kisumu National Polytechnic67k at Kabete National Polytechnic

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 at public colleges (kasaranitechnical.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; some insurance-approved repair centres and vehicle assemblers sponsor students for guaranteed employment.

Funding options

HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.

Scholarships

2 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: A Level 5 Autobody Technology certificate or equivalent prior learning recognised by TVET CDACC.

How you are assessed

2 components

Competency-Based Unit Assessments
Coursework60% of the mark
Practical demonstration of welding, panel beating, and spray painting competencies.
TVET CDACC National Assessment
Examination40% of the mark
Standardised national assessment for the Level 6 qualification.

Accreditation

Nationally examined by TVET CDACC as a competency-based (CBET) Level 6 qualification.

Accredited by

TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
National competency based (cbet) qualification, level 6Required
Assessed against national occupational standards for Autobody Technician/Technology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Autobody Technician
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 42,000
Repairs damaged vehicle bodies at a garage or repair centre.
Panel Beater
Moderate demandKsh 24,000 to Ksh 40,000
Specialises in reshaping and restoring damaged body panels.
Spray Painter (Automotive)
Moderate demandKsh 24,000 to Ksh 40,000
Handles surface preparation, colour matching, and paint finishing for vehicles.
Vehicle Frame Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Specialises in vehicle frame measurement, chassis straightening, and structural alignment for accident-damaged vehicles in auto body repair shops.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as autobody technicians, panel beaters, and spray painters in garages, insurance-approved repair centres, and vehicle assembly companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Panel Beating Tools
Bodywork equipmentPrimary
Hammers, dollies, and shaping tools for vehicle body repair
Spray Painting Equipment
Painting equipment
Spray guns and painting booths for vehicle refinishing
Frame Straightening Machine
Bodywork equipment
Equipment for straightening vehicle chassis and frames
Welding Equipment
Bodywork equipmentPrimary
MIG and spot welding equipment for vehicle body panel repair

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Autobody work is unskilled labour.
It requires precise welding, surface preparation, and colour-matching skills assessed against national occupational standards.
'Autobody Technician' and 'Autobody Technology' are two different qualifications.
Kenyan TVET/CDACC sources use both terms for the same Level 6 competency-based qualification; check with the specific institution which term they use on certificates.