Over 580,000 students who scored C- and below in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam will be eligible for certificate and artisan courses of their choice in this year's selection process.
The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) offers a list of courses under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme where students can select these courses based on cluster points.
Cluster points in this case refer to the maximum points a student can attain in a particular cluster (four subjects) required for admission to a given programme against that of the best candidates in the particular KCSE exam year.
In total, these courses can be pursued in 11 TVET colleges approved by the KUCCPS.
TVET courses have gained prominence in the past three years with some students snubbing universities to opt for diploma and certificate courses. In 2021, over 15,540 students who scored C+ and above in the 2020 KCSE opted for TVET courses such as plumbing.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at the most sought-after courses in the TVET category.
Business
There are 13 approved business and related courses in the TVET institutions. These include Artisan in Storekeeping, Artisan Accounting Technician, Artisan in Secretarial, Office Administration and Artisan in Human Resource Management.
Artisan in Supply Chain Management, Front Office Operations as well as Housekeeping and Accommodation are included in the category.
The minimum entry grade into these courses is E. Further, parents will have to pay an average of Ksh60,000 for the programmes yearly.
Building and Construction
Certificate courses in this category include Artisan in Building Technology, Artisan in Masonry, Building Artisan, Artisan in Land Survey, Land Surveying Artisan, and Trade Test in Masonry.
Some of the colleges offering these TVET courses are Baringo Technical College, Chuka Technical and Vocational College, Gatundu South Technical and Vocational College, and Kandara Technical and Vocational College.
The courses are also available in Kisumu, Kitale, Meru, Sigalagala and Bungoma polytechnics.
Engineering Technology
KCSE candidates who missed degree and diploma courses can pursue engineering certificates at the KUCCPS-approved institutions.
There are currently 25 approved certificates in the engineering sector. These include Artisan in Electrical Installation, Artisan in Electrical Wireman, Electrical Installation Level 4, Artisan in Electrical and Electronics and Artisan in Automotive Engineering.
Polytechnics offering the course include Eldoret, Sigalagala, Kisumu, Kitale and Nyeri.
Information Technology
Courses under this category include Artisan in Information Communication Technology, ICT Artisan Level 4, ICT Technician Level 4 and
National Vocational Certificate in Education and Training (NVCET) Certificate in ICT among others.
The average amount a parent pays for their child to enrol in these programmes is Ksh67,000 annually.
The courses are also offered in the following TVET institutions; Ebukanga, Karumo, Kieni, Kinango, Masai, Masinga, Mawego, Mwala and Riragia.
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy
With a minimum KCSE grade of E, students can apply for the course in the following TVET institutions; Bureti, Bushiangala, Bomet, Chuka, Gatundu, Ikutha, Kaelo, Kakrao and Karumo.
Others include; Lodwar, Limuru, Mathioya, Mbeere North, Molo, Mwala, Nachu, Nuu and Okame TVET institutions.
These courses include Artisan in Hair Dressing and Beauty Therapy, Artisan in Hairdressing, and Artisan in Hair and Beauty among others.
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