Diploma in Plant and Services Engineering
Plant and Services Engineering Level 6 is a TVET CDACC-accredited diploma programme listed on KUCCPS. It trains engineering technologists who operate, maintain, and manage industrial plant systems including boilers, pumps, compressors, HVAC units, water treatment systems, and construction plant equipment.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 85,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 170,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 116,700 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- 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 6 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Climate Change Analyst, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum was developed by TVET CDACC under the CBET framework in collaboration with industry stakeholders. It covers plant operations and maintenance, engineering science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, refrigeration and air conditioning, welding and fabrication, water treatment, boiler operations, and industrial safety. The programme totals approximately 2,880 training hours.
Kenya's industrialisation drive under Vision 2030 has emphasised plant and service engineering as a key sector. Manufacturing plants, power stations, sugar factories, cement plants, and construction companies all require qualified plant engineering technologists to keep operations running efficiently.
Training is offered at institutions including Eldoret Polytechnic, KIHBT, Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, and Hillheights Technical Training College. The programme combines classroom theory with workshop practicals and industrial attachment. CDACC assessment includes both internal continuous assessment and external evaluation.
Graduates work as plant maintenance technicians, boiler operators, HVAC technicians, water treatment plant operators, and construction plant maintenance officers in manufacturing, energy, construction, and facilities management sectors, with progression routes to degree programmes in mechanical engineering.
Skills RequiredIndustrial Plant OperationsBoiler Operations and MaintenanceHVAC System MaintenancePump and Compressor MaintenanceWater Treatment Plant OperationsHydraulic and Pneumatic SystemsWelding and FabricationPreventive Maintenance PlanningIndustrial Safety ManagementConstruction Plant MaintenanceKey SubjectsEngineering Science and ThermodynamicsFluid Mechanics and HydraulicsBoiler Operations and Steam SystemsPump and Compressor TechnologyRefrigeration and Air ConditioningWater
What you study
10 subjects- Engineering Science and Thermodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
- Boiler Operations and Steam Systems
- Pump and Compressor Technology
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- Water Treatment Systems
- Welding and Fabrication Technology
- Plant Maintenance Management
- Construction Plant Operations
- Industrial Safety and Health
Modules
10 in the programmeCommunication Skills, ICT and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Common units covering communication skills, digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Life Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Personal development and interpersonal skills 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.
Engineering Science and Thermodynamics
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on engineering mechanics, strength of materials, thermodynamics for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Systems
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on fluid mechanics principles, hydraulic and pneumatic system installation.
Boiler Operations and Pump Technology
Year 1Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on boiler operations, steam systems, pump and compressor technology for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Water Treatment
Year 1Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on refrigeration cycles, HVAC systems, water treatment processes for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Construction Plant and Industrial Safety
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on construction plant operations, equipment maintenance for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Welding, Fabrication and Plant Maintenance
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on welding processes, fabrication techniques, and preventive for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Plant Management and Industrial Attachment
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on plant management principles, energy efficiency, and supervised for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Boiler and Steam Plant Operations
Operating and maintaining industrial boilers, steam systems, and associated plant equipment, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
HVAC and Refrigeration
Installing, maintaining, and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Water Treatment Plant Operations
Operating and maintaining water treatment systems for industrial and commercial applications, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Construction Plant Maintenance
Maintaining and servicing construction plant equipment including excavators, loaders, and cranes, 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 thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or plant maintenance with workshop practicals. Students operate boilers, service HVAC systems, assemble hydraulic circuits, practise welding techniques, and learn water treatment processes. Industrial visits to manufacturing plants provide exposure to real plant operations and maintenance environments.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand across manufacturing, energy, construction, and facilities management sectors. | Requires strong aptitude in mathematics, physics, and mechanical systems. |
| Comprehensive CBET curriculum covering boilers, HVAC, water treatment, and construction plant. | Plant work can involve hot, noisy, and physically demanding environments. |
| Offered at multiple institutions including KIHBT, Eldoret Polytechnic, and Taita Taveta National Polytechnic. | — |
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 67K, TUM 85K/yr (tum.ac.ke). IESR 117K, Equip Africa 60K/yr (iesr.ac.ke, eai.ac.ke)
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 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.
Government TVET Capitation
GrantKsh 30,000Kenyan
All KUCCPS-placed students in public TVET institutions.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited TVET programmes.
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
Level 5 Certificate in Plant Engineering or related field from a recognised institution, or equivalent as determined by KNQA.
When it next starts
Taught at 6 institutionsIncluding Nyeri National Polytechnic, Kiambu National Polytechnic, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute.
Including Nyeri National Polytechnic, Kiambu National Polytechnic, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute.
Including Nyeri National Polytechnic, Kiambu National Polytechnic, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCDACC External Assessment
Examination60% of the mark
External assessment conducted by TVET CDACC at the end of each unit of competency.
Internal Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment by trainers including tests, practical exercises, and workshop assessments.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment at a plant or manufacturing facility, assessed through supervisor reports and portfolio.
Accreditation
TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory body for CBET curriculum development, assessment and certification of plant and services engineering programme.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Qualifications recognitionRequired
Recognises the Level 6 qualification within the Kenya National Qualifications Framework.
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 and totals approximately 2,880 training hours.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesPlant Maintenance Technician
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Performs preventive and corrective maintenance on industrial plant systems in manufacturing and processing facilities.
Boiler Operator
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Operates and maintains industrial boilers and steam systems in factories and power plants.
HVAC Technician
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 85,000
Installs, maintains, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for commercial and industrial buildings.
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Operates and maintains water treatment systems for industrial, commercial, or municipal applications.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as plant maintenance technicians, boiler operators, and HVAC technicians in manufacturing, energy, construction, and facilities management sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Climate Change AnalystEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Wildlife Corridors EcologistEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Finance AnalystEnvironmental Science11Low exposure
- Mangrove Restoration SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Mine Reclamation SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Riparian Restoration EcologistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Urban Forestry SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Mechanical Maintenance Tools
EquipmentPrimary
Spanners, wrenches, multimeters, pressure gauges, and specialised tools for plant maintenance.
Welding Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Arc welding, gas welding, and cutting equipment for fabrication and repair work.
Water Testing Kits
Equipment
Chemical testing kits for monitoring water quality parameters in treatment plants.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Plant engineering is just about fixing broken machines.
The diploma covers preventive maintenance, plant operations, water treatment, HVAC systems, and safety management, providing a comprehensive understanding of industrial plant management.
Plant and services engineering is the same as mechanical engineering.
While related, plant and services engineering focuses specifically on industrial plant systems operation and maintenance, while mechanical engineering is broader covering design, manufacturing, and analysis.
Plant engineering is outdated in the digital age.
Modern plant systems integrate digital controls, sensors, and building management systems, making plant engineering a technology-driven field.