If you enjoy working with your hands and solving practical problems, a career in plumbing could be the perfect fit for you. The Plumbing Level 4 Certificate course is a great starting point. This is because you can pursue it with any grade in KCSE including a grade E.
The course is short – takes just 12 months – and it offers excellent job prospects, considering the constant demand for skilled plumbers in residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
In this article, I’ll be sharing all the essential details about the Plumbing Level 4 Certificate, including:
Before we proceed, my name is John Gitahi, the Founder of Kenya Online College and a renowned Career Coach. You can find me on TikTok (just search Kenya Online College on TikTok and give me a like).
What Plumbing Level 4 Certificate course is all about
The Artisan Plumbing Level 4 course equips you, as a learner, with the necessary foundational skills in plumbing.
To be more specific, the course primary focuses on installation, maintenance and repair of water and drainage systems.
Entry requirements for the plumbing technician level 4 course
If you’re applying for this course through the KUCCPS portal, then you’re in luck. This is because you’ll just need a KCSE certificate to qualify – even if you have a grade E!
However, if you opt to apply in the institute directly, most require you at least have a D- in your KCSE.
How is the course structured?
This course is a blend of theory and practical learning with most institutions offering hands-on workshops to ensure you gain real-world experience.
Need the course outline? Don’t worry – you’ll be given the complete outline by your college once you join.
Colleges offering the course Plumbing Level 4 course
Now, if you’re looking to enroll in this course, you can either enroll in a private TVET near you or join one of the many public TVETs on the KUCCPS website.
Having said that, below are some good government-run TVETs that you can choose when enrolling for the course:
- Sigalagala National Polytechnic – Kisumu
- Kasarani TVC – Nairobi
- Eldoret National Polytechnic – Eldoret
- Thika Technical Training Institute – Thika
Some good private colleges offering the course include:
- Uwezo College – Machakos
- Nairobi Institute of Ecommerce (NIE) – Nairobi
- Sensei Institute of Technology – Nairobi & Nakuru
Artisan in Plumbing Level 4 (TVET-CDACC) course duration
The course typically takes 12 months, which includes both classroom learning and an industrial attachment period to provide hands-on experience.
Plumbing Level 4 Artisan course intakes
Most public institutions have intakes in January, May, and September. However, some private colleges may have rolling intakes, meaning you can apply anytime.
Plumbing Level 4 Artisan fees structure
The annual tuition fee is usually uniform across all public TVETs – Ksh. 67,189.00.
It’s important to note that this is exclusive of admission charges – these vary by institution but oftentimes it comes to around Ksh. 10,000 payable once.
For exam fee, the core and common units are about Ksh. 1,000 per unit while the basic units are Ksh. 700 per unit.
About Government scholarships for the Plumbing Level 4 Artisan course
One major advantage of enrolling in a public TVET is that you may qualify for a government scholarship to help cover your tuition costs.
The amount you’re given as scholarship normally depends on the category or band you are assigned after applying on the Higher Education Funding (HEF) website.
Not sure how to apply for the scholarship?
Then don’t worry as your college will assist you with the application process – you can request for their help during your joining day.
And to make it even better, you can also apply for a HELB loan which will significantly reduce the financial burden on your parents or sponsors.
Plumbing Level 4 Artisan course examinations
It’s important to note that the examination body for this course is TVET-CDACC and not KNEC.
The exam comprises of both practical (for core units) and theory (for basic units).
Just so you know, passing this exam earns you a recognized certification as a qualified plumber.
How to apply for the Plumbing Level 4 Certificate course
If you want to join a public TVET institution, you’ll need to wait for the KUCCPS portal to open for applications.
However, if you’re considering a private TVET college, things are much simpler as most private institutions admit students throughout the year. As such, you can submit your application to your dream college and start learning almost immediately.
Where can you work with an Artisan in Plumbing Level 4 qualification?
You can work mainly as a plumbing technician, handling installation, maintenance, and repair of water systems in homes, businesses, and industries.
If you prefer specialization, you can become a Drainage and Sewage Technician, ensuring wastewater systems function properly in both urban and rural areas.
However, if you enjoy teaching, you can decide to further your studies and become a Plumbing Trainer in TVET institutions. Just know that this will require you to upgrade to at least a Level 6 Diploma in Plumbing Technology.
If entrepreneurship is your thing, you can also opt to start your own plumbing business and work as an independent contractor. Many plumbers in Kenya are already making good money running their own plumbing services, handling everything from household plumbing to large-scale commercial projects.
Having said that, I would advise that you learn extra complementary skills solar water heating installation or gas plumbing. These skills can greatly increase your marketability thereby opening up more high-paying opportunities for you.
What next after graduating?
Once you complete your studies, you have several options depending on your goals – you can look for a job immediately or continue with your education to increase your career prospects.
Given the essential role plumbing plays in construction, you can land job opportunities in real estate projects, renovation sites, water supply companies or even manufacturing plants.
However, if you aim for better career prospects, consider upgrading to a Level 5 or Level 6 Diploma in Plumbing Technology – this will open doors to higher-paying roles and even teaching opportunities in TVET institutions.
Whichever path you choose, the secret is to stay committed, keep upgrading your skills, and seize opportunities as they come!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a career that offers stability, and hands-on skills, Plumbing Level 4 is a solid choice. The demand for skilled plumbers in Kenya and beyond keeps growing, making this a smart career move.
The best part? Even with the rise of AI, plumbing remains one of the few technical fields unlikely to be replaced by automation. This is because Skilled plumbers will always be needed to install and maintain water systems in homes, businesses, and industries.
Remember, if you want to join a public TVET, start by applying for the course on the KUCCPS portal once it opens.
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