Engineering

Diploma in Industrial Automation Technology

Industrial Automation Technology Level 6 is a TVET CDACC-accredited diploma programme listed on KUCCPS under the Engineering, Technology and Related cluster. It trains technologists who install, maintain, and operate industrial automation systems including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical drives, and industrial robots.

The curriculum was developed by TVET CDACC under the CBET framework and covers eight modules. Topics include industrial automation and robotic systems operation, product quality maintenance, digital literacy, engineering mathematics, electrical systems installation, standalone control systems, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, engineering mechanics, electrical and electronics principles, electrical drives, computer-aided drawing, PLC installation and maintenance, distributed control systems, and industrial robotic system installation.

Kenya's manufacturing sector is modernising with increasing adoption of automation technologies. Industrial parks, food processing plants, cement factories, and beverage companies are investing in automated production lines, creating demand for qualified automation technologists.

Training combines classroom theory with extensive laboratory practicals using industrial automation equipment. Students work with PLCs, sensors, actuators, pneumatic trainers, and robotic arms. A minimum of 480 hours of industrial training is required, either distributed across units or completed after all coursework.

Graduates work as automation technicians, PLC programmers, control systems maintenance technicians, and robotics installation technicians in manufacturing, food processing, cement, and beverage industries, with progression routes to degree programmes in electrical or mechatronics engineering.

Skills RequiredPLC Programming and InstallationIndustrial Robotic Systems OperationPneumatic and Hydraulic Systems MaintenanceElectrical Drives InstallationDistributed Control SystemsSCADA and HMI ConfigurationSensor and Actuator IntegrationComputer-Aided DrawingIndustrial Automation TroubleshootingProduct Quality MaintenanceKey SubjectsIndustrial Automation and Robotic Systems OperationProgrammable Logic Controllers (PLCs)Pneumatic and Hydraulic SystemsElectrical Drives and Motor ControlDistributed Control SystemsIndustrial Robotic System

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Job market: High

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

10 subjects

Industrial Automation and Robotic Systems Operation
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems
Electrical Drives and Motor Control
Distributed Control Systems
Industrial Robotic System Installation
Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics
Electrical and Electronics Principles
Computer-Aided Drawing
Standalone Control Systems

Modules

10 in the programme

Industrial Automation and Robotic Systems Operation
Year 1Semester 110 creditsCore
Core unit covering operation of industrial automation and robotic systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Digital Literacy and Engineering Mathematics
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Basic units on digital literacy, computer applications, and engineering for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Entrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business planning and enterprise skills for enterprise development, business planning, and venture creation skills.
Industrial Automation Electrical Systems
Year 1Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on electrical systems installation and maintenance for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Standalone Control Systems and Pneumatic Systems
Year 1Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on standalone control systems installation, pneumatic system installation.
Communication Skills, Work Ethics and Hydraulic Systems
Year 2Semester 110 creditsCore
Common units on communication, work ethics, entrepreneurial skills for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Engineering Mechanics and Electrical Drives
Year 2Semester 110 creditsCore
Core unit on engineering mechanics, electrical and electronics principles for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Computer-Aided Drawing and PLC Installation
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on computer-aided drawing and programmable logic controllers for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Distributed Control Systems and Industrial Robotics
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Advanced unit on distributed control systems installation and industrial for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

PLC Programming and Control Systems
Programming, installing, and maintaining programmable logic controllers and standalone control systems for industrial processes.
Industrial Robotics
Installing, programming, and maintaining industrial robotic systems for manufacturing applications, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems
Installing and maintaining pneumatic and hydraulic control systems used in industrial automation, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Distributed Control Systems
Installing and maintaining distributed control systems and SCADA platforms for process industries, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day combines theory lectures on control systems, electrical principles, or PLC programming with extensive laboratory practicals. Students program PLCs using ladder logic, configure pneumatic and hydraulic circuits, operate robotic arms, and troubleshoot automation systems. Industrial visits to manufacturing plants provide exposure to real automation environments.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand as Kenyan manufacturing sector modernises with automation technologies.
Comprehensive CBET curriculum covering PLCs, robotics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and control systems.
Skills are transferable across multiple industries including manufacturing, food processing, and energy.

Against it

Requires strong aptitude in mathematics, physics, and logical programming.
Technology evolves rapidly, requiring continuous learning to stay current.

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 Public TVET colleges (standardised)67k at Public TVET colleges (standardised)

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 std 67K/yr (institutiontoday.com). Kabete offers L6. Private unverified.

Students are eligible for HELB TVET loans (up to KSH 40,000), government capitation (KSH 30,000/year), and county bursaries.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
Government TVET Capitation (KSH 30,000/year)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited TVET programmes.
Government TVET Capitation
GrantKsh 30,000Kenyan
All KUCCPS-placed students in public TVET institutions.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Level 5 Certificate in Industrial Automation and Robotics Technology or equivalent as determined by TVETA.

How you are assessed

3 components

CDACC Written Assessment
Examination40% of the mark
Written theory examinations administered by TVET CDACC at the end of each unit of competency.
CDACC Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical demonstrations of PLC programming, system installation, and troubleshooting skills.
Industrial Training Portfolio
Coursework20% of the mark
Minimum 480 hours of industrial training with portfolio documentation of completed tasks and supervisor assessments.

Accreditation

Accredited by the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC) under the CBET framework at Level 6. The programme is listed on KUCCPS.

Accredited by

TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory body for CBET curriculum development, assessment and certification of industrial automation and robotics technology programme.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Qualifications recognitionRequired
Recognises the Level 6 qualification within the Kenya National Qualifications Framework.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Automation Technician
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Installs, maintains, and troubleshoots industrial automation systems in manufacturing and processing plants.
PLC Programmer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Programs and configures programmable logic controllers for industrial process control and automation.
Control Systems Maintenance Technician
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Maintains and repairs industrial control systems including PLCs, drives, and pneumatic/hydraulic systems.
Robotics Installation Technician
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 95,000
Installs, configures, and commissions industrial robotic systems for manufacturing applications.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as automation technicians, PLC programmers, and control systems maintenance technicians in manufacturing, food processing, and industrial automation companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Pneumatic and Hydraulic Trainers
Training equipmentPrimary
Educational equipment for practising pneumatic and hydraulic circuit design and troubleshooting.
Computer-Aided Design Software
Software
CAD software for creating electrical and mechanical drawings for automation systems.
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Industrial equipmentPrimary
Industrial computers used for automating manufacturing processes, programmed using ladder logic.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Industrial automation is only for large factories.
Automation technology is increasingly adopted by medium and small manufacturing operations, food processing plants, and packaging companies across Kenya.
Automation technology will eliminate jobs.
While automation changes the nature of work, it creates new roles for technologists who can install, program, maintain, and troubleshoot automated systems.
You need a software engineering degree to work with PLCs.
PLC programming is a specialised skill taught at the diploma level, requiring knowledge of ladder logic and industrial control systems rather than general software engineering.
Industrial automation is the same as mechatronics.
While related, industrial automation focuses on control systems, PLCs, and process automation, while mechatronics is broader, combining mechanical, electronic, and software engineering.