The government has unveiled a series of vocational training programmes aimed at equipping youths with skills in high-demand fields such as mechanics, electrical work, dressmaking, and livestock inspection.
The courses, offered through the Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI) and affiliated training centres under the State Department for Livestock Development, are part of a broader push to boost Kenyans attending TVETs.
In a notice via MyGov on Tuesday, the Ministry of Trade announced various KITI programmes including a three-month Motor Vehicle Mechanics course at its Nakuru and Eldoret campuses, requiring a KCSE D grade with fees of Ksh32,500 for boarders or Ksh23,000 for non-boarders.
Electrical training features Domestic Electrical Installation courses in Nairobi and Mombasa (Ksh25,500 for boarders) demanding a D+ qualification. Construction sector options include Building Technology (Ksh32,500 first term) and Welding and Fabrication in Kisumu and Thika (Ksh25,500).
Short-term specialised courses now include a two-day Juice Making course (Ksh 6,000), a one-month Barista Training course (Ksh 25,000), and Yoghurt and Jam Making courses (Ksh 6,000 each). The food sector also offers a condensed two-week Barista course (Ksh 15,000) and a one-month Bread Making course (Ksh 10,000).
Agricultural programmes through the State Department for Livestock Development feature a six-month Artisan Course in Dairy Farm Management (Ksh 47,800) in Naivasha and a two-year Certificate in Animal Health and Production (Ksh 136,700), requiring a KCSE C- with Biology.
Meat processing options include a six-month Meat Inspection Course (Ksh 77,500) at Athi River, with progression to Abattoir Instructors (Ksh 45,000) and Meat Grading (Ksh 45,000) certifications, plus a one-year Certificate in Apiculture (Ksh 98,300) at Lenana’s National Beekeeping Institute.
Advanced diploma programmes include Animal Health and Production (Ksh 210,300 over five semesters) at AHITI Kabete, Leather Technology (Ksh 211,450) for KCSE C holders, and Dairy Production and Processing (Ksh 203,550) in Naivasha.
The building sector offers one-year Diploma in Civil Engineering modules (Ksh25,500 boarders first term) and three-month Plumbing Basic (Ksh32,500 boarders), while fashion students may pursue one-year Diploma in Fashion Design modules (Ksh32,500 first term) or Craft Certificates in Garment Making for KCPE holders.
Technology training includes a one-year Diploma in ICT (standard fees), one-month Computer Applications (Ksh7,300), and AutoCAD/Inventor/Civil 3D courses (Ksh10,000 each). Electrical programs feature three-tier Electrical Installation training (Ksh25,500 boarders) and five-day CCTV/Electric Fence Installation (Ksh10,000 each).
Mechanical engineering offers one-year Diploma modules (KCSE C-) and a three-month Welding and Fabrication course, while food sector trainees can enrol in a three-month Food and Beverage Production course (Ksh 32,500 for boarders) and cake-making courses.
Entrepreneurship programmes include a three-month Business Plan Writing course and Basic Accounting and Management Skills, following the standard fee structure.
All applications require academic certificates, a national ID, a birth certificate, one coloured passport photo, and a Ksh 300 non-refundable fee, with submissions due to KITI's Nakuru office by 22 April 2025. The programmes will commence in May 2025 across 18 institutes.
For agricultural courses, application letters should be addressed to the principal of the preferred institute by 23 May 2025. “Artisan course applications should be submitted by 17 April 2025,” the announcement notes.
Application requirements include a non-refundable application fee of Ksh 1,000, payable using the respective institute’s payment details.
