Who is a Jua kali artisan?
An artisan is a worker who is skilled in a trade, especially one that involves making things or products by hand. Such trades include; tailoring, metalwork, leather work, plumbing, mechanics, electrical installation among others. Jua kali artisans are skilled trades people who do not have formal training or certification in what they do. They acquire the skills of making Jua kali products through informal skills acquisition.

What is the work environment?
Jua kali artisans work mostly outdoor, sitting all day under the scorching sun, sometimes bare chested, hammering materials to develop useful products. Jua kali artisans may also work in various environments depending on the sector they are in.

Important skills, and attributes
To perform duties effectively as a Jua kali artisan, a number of skills, and attributes are necessary. Some of these include;

1. Able to learn. Jua kali artisans should be teachable as they acquire their skills practically in the Jua kali sector.
2. Ability to use their hands. Jua kali artisans use their hands to make various products.
3. Physical stamina. Jua kali artisans need to be in good physical shape and strength as the job is physically demanding.
4. Communication skills. The ability to communicate with customers and other workers is an essential skill in this sector as it is in many other sectors.
5. People skills. Jua kali artisans need to relate well with customers and other workers.
6. Basic business skills. Jua kali sector employs a large number of young people. Those in self employment need to have some basic business skills.
7. Among other skills.

What are some career opportunities?
Opportunities for Jua kali artisans exist in the informal sector of the economy where thousands of jobs are created every year.

How to become a Jua kali artisan?
There is no formal requirement for one to become a Jua kali artisan. All that is required is to join the trade and learn under the watch of experienced Jua kali artisans or entrepreneurs.

How to become a certified Jua kali artisan?
The government through the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) has committed to recognize Jua kali artisans trained informally. KNQA is a state corporation that is established to help coordinate and harmonize the various levels of education; and to create a database of all qualifications in the country.

How are Jua kali artisans certified?
KNQA observed that thousands of masons, plumbers, electricians and mechanics among others, who were making significant contributions to the economy had acquired their skills in the informal and non formal sectors. To certify these Jua kali artisans and enable them seek employment in both formal and informal sectors where their skills are required, the following is KNQA’s certification strategy.

Under the new arrangement, the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB), Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC) will issue academic certificates based on practical performance as opposed to written examinations.

This effectively means that a Jua kali trained tailor, carpenter, mechanic, sculptor or a plumber who has never sat in a formal classroom or Technical Educational and Vocational Training Institutes (TVETS) will be issued with a recognized certificate, just as his counterparts who have undergone years of formal training. However, this will be subject to the requirement that one must practically demonstrate that he/ she possesses the requisite skills before a relevant examination body.

KNQA’s a policy shift, gives Jua kali artisans an opportunity to showcase practical capabilities in their respective areas of expertise, before being issued with certificates that will enable them seek employment in both formal and informal sectors where their skills are required. Various skills will be tested in industries, Universities or TVET institutions that have necessary machinery, equipment, personnel and expertise spread across the country.