Engineering

Diploma in Concrete Construction

The Diploma in Concrete Construction is a KNEC-examined programme that trains technicians in concrete technology, construction methods, and quality control. The course covers concrete materials, mix design, formwork, reinforcement, concrete testing, and structural concrete construction across progressive modules.

Students develop competencies in concrete technology, structural analysis, construction materials, quality control testing, and concrete construction methods. The programme covers both site and precast concrete construction techniques.

Kenya's infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, buildings, and water structures, relies heavily on concrete construction. The demand for qualified concrete technicians who can ensure quality and supervise concrete works has grown with the expansion of the construction sector.

The programme combines classroom theory with laboratory work on concrete testing and site practicals. Students participate in concrete mix design, testing, and construction exercises. A supervised industrial attachment with a construction company provides hands-on experience.

Graduates work as concrete technicians, quality control officers, and construction supervisors with construction companies, precast concrete manufacturers, and government infrastructure projects.

This programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) interested in construction materials and quality control. The programme also emphasises quality assurance protocols aligned with Kenya Bureau of Standards requirements for concrete and construction materials. Graduates can pursue professional registration with the National Construction Authority, enhancing their credentials for supervisory roles on major infrastructure projects.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 60,000
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: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

6 subjects

Research Methods
Communication Skills
Information Technology
Project Management
Entrepreneurship
Statistics

Modules

10 in the programme

Concrete Technology I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of concrete and constituent materials, including cement types, aggregates, water, and admixtures for concrete mix design and construction.
Technical Drawing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Technical drawing for concrete structures, including reinforcement detailing, formwork plans, and structural element drawings for construction.
Concrete Testing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Slump testing, compaction factor testing, compressive strength testing, and quality control procedures for fresh and hardened concrete.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Workplace communication, technical report writing, and professional correspondence for concrete construction projects and site operations.
Construction Materials
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Cement, aggregates, and admixtures used in concrete construction, including properties, testing, and selection criteria for different applications.
Concrete Construction Practical
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Concrete mixing, placing, compaction, curing, and finishing techniques for structural concrete construction in building and civil works.
Reinforced Concrete
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Reinforcement placement, bar bending schedules, formwork design and construction, and reinforced concrete element construction techniques.
Estimating and Costing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Cost estimation for concrete works, including material quantities, labour costing, rate analysis, and tender preparation for concrete projects.
Quality Control
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Quality assurance for concrete construction, including mix design verification, strength testing, non-destructive testing, and compliance standards.
Site Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Site organisation, safety management, material handling, and supervision of concrete construction works and site operations.

Specialisations

Concrete Technology
Mix design, testing, and quality control of concrete for various construction applications, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Precast Construction
Manufacturing and installation of precast concrete elements for buildings and infrastructure, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Quality Control
Testing and inspection of concrete and construction materials to ensure compliance with standards, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Formwork and Scaffolding
Focus on formwork design, scaffolding systems, falsework, and temporary works for concrete construction projects within Kenyan construction safety standards.

A day as a student

Students attend morning theory classes and spend afternoons in practical sessions, workshops, or laboratory work applying concepts learned in class.

The trade offs

In its favour

Specialised skills in concrete technology are in demand across Kenya's infrastructure projects.
Quality control expertise is valued by construction companies and government projects.

Against it

Work involves exposure to dust, cement, and challenging site conditions.
Career growth may require additional qualifications in civil engineering or construction management.

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 Kasarani TVC67k at Kasarani TVC

Private60k to 60k

60k at Vitech Training Institute60k at Vitech Training Institute

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 67K/yr public (kasaranitechnical.ac.ke). Vitech 60K/yr private (vti.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB TVET loans, county government bursaries, and NG-CDF bursaries to support their studies.

Funding options

HELB loan

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed or accredited diploma programmes at recognised TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency Development Fund bursaries for needy students from the respective constituency.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Craft Certificate in Building Technology or Concrete Construction from an accredited TVET institution.

Mathematics/Physics
English or Kiswahili

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester CATs covering theory and practical components.
KNEC Module Examinations
Exam60% of the mark
National examinations administered by KNEC at the end of each module.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment report and employer assessment.

Accreditation

Programmes accredited by TVETA and examined by KNEC, NITA, or CDACC in Kenya.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering this diploma programme.
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination bodyRequired
Administers national examinations for the diploma programme at each module level.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Concrete Technician
Medium demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supervises concrete construction works, ensuring proper mix design, placement, and curing.
Quality Control Officer
Medium demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Tests concrete and construction materials to ensure compliance with project specifications.
Construction Supervisor
High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supervises concrete construction activities on site, managing teams and ensuring quality.
Concrete Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 70,000
Specialises in concrete mix design, quality testing, and concrete construction supervision for building and infrastructure projects in Kenya.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates of the Concrete Construction programme work in relevant industries across Kenya, with opportunities in both public and private sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Concrete Testing Equipment
Testing equipmentPrimary
Equipment for testing concrete compressive strength and slump
AutoCAD
Design softwarePrimary
CAD software for concrete structure design and detailing
Total Station
Surveying equipment
Surveying instrument for construction layout and setting out
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet for mix design calculations and project costing

Certifications

Industry links

National Construction Authority (NCA)

Common misconceptions

The Concrete Construction diploma is just theory with no practical value.
The programme emphasises hands-on practical training in workshops, laboratories, and industrial attachment, ensuring graduates are job-ready.
Graduates of this programme end up unemployed in Kenya.
Kenya's expanding sectors create steady demand for diploma holders, with opportunities in county governments, private companies, and self-employment.