Who is a telecommunication craftsman?
A telecommunication craftsman is a craftsperson or a worker skilled in telecommunication engineering or closely related field. Telecommunication is a process that transmits sounds, images, signals, signs or any other form of information through telephone, wire, or other electromagnetic systems. Telecommunication engineering is an engineering field focused on electrical and computer engineering that support telecommunication systems. Telecommunication craftsmen install, maintain and repair electronic and telecommunications systems among other duties.

Other closely related title(s)

1. Craftsman, radio/ television maintenance
2. Craftsman, signals
3. Craftsman, telecommunications engineering
4. Craftsman, telecommunications equipment installation and repair
5. Craftsman, telephone/telegraph maintenance

What is the work environment?
Telecommunication craftsmen may work in different kind of environments such as in office or in the field among other areas.

Some important skills to have
To work effectively, telecommunication craftsmen need to have some important skills and qualities such as;

1. Communication skills
2. Troubleshooting skills
3. Creativity skills
4. Problem solving skills
5. Interpersonal skills
6. Color vision as they work with color coded wires and they need to tell them apart
7. Customer service skills
8. Ability to use hands
9. Mechanical skills
10. Among others

What are some career opportunities?
Telecommunication craftsmen can find employment opportunities in areas such as;  Electronics companies, telecommunication companies, power production & distribution companies, chemical industries, food processing industries, motor vehicle assembly companies, aviation industry, marine and service industries among others.

With industry experience, telecommunication craftsmen can also use their creativity and start their own businesses.

Becoming a telecommunication craftsman

Admission requirements
To pursue a career as a telecommunication craftsman right from secondary school, 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 course. Craft courses are also offered within Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) within your region.

So what course(s) can you pursue in TVET colleges?

1. Craft certificate in electrical technology (telecommunication option)
2. Craft certificate in electrical engineering (telecommunication option)
3. Craft certificate in electrical and electronic technology (telecommunication)
4. Craft certificate in electrical and electronic engineering (telecommunication)
5. Craft certificate in telecommunication and power
6. Craft certificate in telecommunication engineering
7. Craft certificate in telecommunication
8. Or other similar/ related courses

Education Progression
After a successful completion of a craft certificate course, you can advance your education upward (in a relevant field) up to university level if that’s your goal. 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. The majority way is applying through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (Kuccps). This is a state owned agency that admits/ places government sponsored students to TVET colleges and universities. One of the advantages of applying through Kuccps is that, upon successful placement, you will pay subsidized fee as a government sponsored student.

To be placed through Kuccps you must have attained a certain pass mark required for various education levels such as degrees, diplomas, certificates and artisan courses. For a craft certificate course, you need a KCSE mean grade D (plain) and above. For more details on placement criteria, visit Kuccps website. The second approach is applying directly to training institution of your choice. Students who opt to apply this way do not get government fee subsidy and are therefore self-sponsored.

How to fund your post-secondary education.
If you are a needy student, upon application, you can get education loan from Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), a state owned institution that gives education loans to students joining technical colleges and universities. You can also access education bursaries from your local Member of Parliament (MP) or the County Government among other sources.

Always remember this!
Information provided on this website is for career awareness only, and not for any other purpose. Before you make any choice, it is advisable to seek professional advice from career advisors to navigate this very important process.