Who is a welding craftsman?
A Welding craftsman is a craftsperson or a worker skilled in welding or closely related field. Welding is a fabrication process in which two pieces of metals are joined together by use of high heat to melt parts and join them by allowing them to cool. Welding craftsmen design, assemble and fabricate metal structures through the use of welding tools and equipment.

Other closely related title(s)

1. Welder
2. Fabricator
3. Assembler

What is the work environment?
Welding craftsmen can work both indoor and outdoor depending on the nature of the work they are doing.

Some important skills to have
To work effectively as a welding craftsman, a number of essential skills are a required for optimal work output. Some of these include;

1. Good hand–eye coordination.
2. Detail oriented ability
3. Physical stamina to endure long standing hours
4. Ability to interpret 2D and 3D welding diagrams
5. Communication skills
6. Interpersonal skills
7. Creativity skills
8. Customer service skills
9. Among others

What are some career opportunities?
Welding craftsmen can find employment opportunities in various places such as; building construction industry, civil engineering and allied industries, welding and fabrication contractors, automotive industries, aircraft industries, rail sector, pipeline sector, maintenance departments within various businesses and government departments among others.

With some industry experience, welding craftsmen can use their creativity and launch their own welding enterprises.

Becoming a welding 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 welding and fabrication
2. Craft certificate in welding
3. Or other similar/ related courses

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.

How to fund your post-secondary education.
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. 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 career choice, or commit yourself to any career or study option, be sure of what you are doing. It is advisable to seek professional advice from career advisors to navigate this very important process.

Need more information? We can provide you with additional career and education related information to meet your individual needs.