Engineering

Diploma in Welding and Fabrication

The Diploma in Welding and Fabrication is a TVET CDACC Level 6 qualification that equips learners with competencies to perform various welding processes including gas welding, manual metal arc welding, Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding, and advanced processes such as submerged arc welding, plasma and.

The curriculum covers engineering mathematics, mechanical science, material science and metallurgy, engineering drawing and design, fabrication and welding technology, metal technology and joining processes, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, computer-aided design, control systems and instrumentation, advanced fabrication technology, welding processes, welding inspection and quality control, and product and structure.

The programme is accredited by TVET CDACC under the Welding and Fabrication Level 6 qualification and examined by KNEC in some institutions.

Training combines classroom theory with extensive workshop practicals using professional welding equipment. Trainees work with arc welding machines, TIG and MAG welders, plasma cutters, oxy-acetylene equipment, and fabrication tools.

Graduates find employment in construction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, automotive, oil and gas, pipeline construction, and infrastructure development. Major employers include China Road and Bridge Corporation, Bamburi Cement, East African Portland Cement, oil and gas companies, and numerous construction firms.

The programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- who have an interest in metalwork and fabrication, as well as craft certificate holders seeking to upgrade. It provides a progression pathway to degree programmes in Mechanical Engineering or Welding Engineering.

Duration: 2-3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 51,000
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: 20 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Fabrication and Welding Technology
Manual Metal Arc Welding
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding
Metal Active Gas (MAG) Welding
Gas Welding and Soldering
Material Science and Metallurgy
Engineering Drawing and Design
Welding Inspection and Quality Control
Advanced Fabrication Technology
Engineering Mathematics

Modules

12 in the programme

Material Science and Metallurgy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of engineering materials, metallurgical processes for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Engineering Drawing and Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Technical drawing, blueprint reading, and design principles for fabrication for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Engineering Mathematics and Mechanical Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematical foundations and mechanical science principles for welding and for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Gas Welding and Soldering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Oxy-acetylene welding, brazing, soldering, and flame cutting techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Manual Metal Arc Welding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Shielded metal arc welding processes, electrode selection, and joint preparation
Metal Technology and Joining Processes
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Metal cutting, forming, bending, and various joining processes for fabrication for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
GTAW welding process for precision welding of stainless steel for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Metal Active Gas (MAG) Welding
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
GMAW welding process for high-production fabrication and structural welding for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Advanced Fabrication Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced fabrication techniques, structural steel assembly, and pipe fabrication
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Year 2Semester 23 creditsElective
Digital design and drafting for fabrication projects using CAD software for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Advanced Welding Processes
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Submerged arc welding, plasma and laser beam welding, spot and seam resistance welding.
Welding Inspection and Quality Control
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Weld testing, non-destructive testing, defect identification for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Structural Steel Fabrication
Focuses on fabrication and erection of structural steel for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Pipe Welding
Focuses on pipeline welding for oil, gas, water, and industrial applications, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Welding Inspection and Quality Control
Focuses on weld testing, non-destructive testing, and quality assurance, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Advanced Welding Processes
Focuses on specialised processes including underwater welding, plasma welding, and laser beam welding, 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 begins at 8:00 AM with a theory session on welding metallurgy or engineering drawing, followed by a three-hour workshop practical performing different welding processes on metal plates and structures. Afternoons often involve fabrication projects, CAD sessions, or welding inspection practicals. Industrial attachment places students in construction sites, fabrication workshops, or manufacturing plants for real-world welding experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand across construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and infrastructure sectors
Strong self-employment potential with relatively low startup costs for fabrication workshops
International certification pathways through AWS enable global career opportunities

Against it

Welding involves exposure to heat, fumes, and UV radiation requiring strict safety protocols
Physically demanding work requiring stamina and working in various weather conditions

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 Technical and Vocational College67k at Kabete National Polytechnic

Private50k to 51k

50k at Ramsis Technical Training College51k at ICS Technical College

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 public. ICS 51K, RTTC 50K/yr (ics.ac.ke, rttc.co.ke).

HELB offers loans and bursaries for TVET students. County government bursaries and NG-CDF funds are widely available. Some construction and oil companies offer sponsorship programmes for welding students committed to working in their sectors.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan and Bursary
County Government Bursaries
NG-CDF Constituency Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
All TVET students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed programmes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Craft Certificate in Welding and Fabrication, or Level 5 qualification, or equivalent as determined by KNQA.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Internal Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Practical welding assessments, fabrication projects, and theory tests
External Assessment (TVET CDACC)
External60% of the mark
Competency-based external assessment conducted by TVET CDACC
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during three-month industry placement

Accreditation

Accredited by TVET CDACC (Welding and Fabrication Level 6) and regulated by TVETA. NITA also offers grade tests in welding. Some institutions offer KNEC-examined variants. International certification through AWS is available for advanced career opportunities.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
Curriculum and certificationRequired
Welding and Fabrication Level 6
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination
Some institutions offer KNEC-examined variant
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional regulationRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Welder
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Performs various welding processes in construction, manufacturing, or fabrication workshops
Fabricator
High demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 60,000
Fabricates metal products and structures from engineering drawings and specifications
Welding Inspector
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Inspects welds for quality, performs non-destructive testing, and ensures compliance with standards
Structural Steel Worker
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Fabricates and erects structural steel for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure projects
Pipeline Technician
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Welds and fabricates pipelines for oil, gas, water, and industrial applications

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in high demand across Kenya's construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas sectors. Entry-level welders earn KSH 30,000 to KSH 55,000 per month, with experienced welding inspectors and fabrication workshop owners earning KSH 60,000 to KSH 120,000+ per month.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

TIG Welding Machine
EquipmentPrimary
Tungsten Inert Gas welding machine for precision welding
MAG Welding Machine
EquipmentPrimary
Metal Active Gas welding machine for high-production fabrication
Arc Welding Machine
EquipmentPrimary
Manual metal arc welding machine for shielded metal arc welding
Oxy-Acetylene Equipment
Equipment
Gas welding and cutting equipment for oxy-fuel processes

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Welding is a low-skill job with no career progression
The Level 6 diploma covers advanced welding processes, quality control, design, and fabrication management, opening pathways to welding inspection, workshop management, and international certification.
Welders only work in informal Jua Kali workshops
While many welders are self-employed, major construction companies, oil and gas firms, manufacturing plants, and pipeline projects actively recruit certified welders with competitive salaries and benefits.