Who is a carpentry craftsman?
A carpentry craftsman is a craftsperson or a worker skilled in carpentry or a closely related field. Carpentry can be described as a skilled occupation, trade or activity that deals with design, construction, and repair of structures made of wood. The work of carpentry craftsmen is to design, construct, and repair structures made of wood such as; furniture, doors, door frames, interior fittings, roofs, wardrobes and installation of kitchen cabinets among others.

Other closely related title(s)

1. Carpenter
2. Joiner
3. Furniture maker

What is the work environment?
Carpentry craftsmen work both indoor and outdoor designing and installing various kinds of wooden structures.

Some important skills to have
To perform optimally at the workplace, carpentry craftsmen need to possess some important qualities and skills. Some of these include;

1. Safety awareness to avoid or minimize injuries
2. Problem solving skills
3. Creativity skills
4. Physical strength
5. Basic math skills
6. Detail oriented skills
7. Interpersonal skills
8. Business skills for those in self-employment
9. Among others

What are some career opportunities?
Carpentry craftsmen can find work opportunities in various places such as; carpentry workshops, building construction companies, interior design companies, building maintenance contractors, maintenance departments within various organizations, government departments and agencies among others.

With work related experience, carpentry craftsmen can also use their skills and creativity to start their own carpentry businesses and other related ventures.

Becoming a carpentry craftsman

Minimum admission requirements
A Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), mean grade D (plain) and above is required.

Training & Study options
With a KCSE mean grade D (plain) and above, you can proceed to a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college and enroll for a relevant craft certificate course. Craft courses are also offered within Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) within your region.

What course(s) can you pursue in TVET colleges?

1. Craft certificate in carpentry and furniture technology
2. Craft certificate in carpentry and joinery
3. Or other similar or related fields

Education Progression
Upon a successful completion of a craft certificate course, you can advance your education upward (in a relevant field) up to university level if you like. How is this possible?

1. Get a craft certificate
2. Advance to diploma certificate, (in a relevant field)
3. Advance to degree certificate, (in a relevant field)

How to Join TVET College.
There are two ways you can follow to join training institution(s) in pursuit of your career of choice.

1. Applying through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (Kuccps), for government sponsored students.
2. Applying directly to training institution of your choice, for self-sponsored students.

Financial Aid
There are various ways you can access financial aid to support your further or higher education. Some of them are listed below;

1. Apply for education loan through Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
2. Apply for education bursaries from National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), from your local Member of Parliament, (MP).
3. Access education bursaries from your County Government.
4. Some corporate organizations, colleges and universities offer scholarships to bright but needy students. Get timely information on these scholarships to know where and when to apply.
5. Among other sources.

Important note!
Information provided on this website is for career awareness only, and not for any other purpose.