Jobs for Certificate in Plumbing Graduates

Water, drainage and building services

A Certificate in Plumbing teaches pipework installation, water supply systems, drainage and sanitation, fitting of sanitary appliances, hot water systems and basic welding and fabrication. It is offered by technical training institutes and vocational training centres, usually over one to two years. Plumbers are needed on every building project and for constant maintenance in homes, hotels, hospitals and institutions.

Recognition and testing

The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) runs government trade tests for plumbers in grades III, II and I, which employers widely recognise and which are open to both trained and experienced workers. The National Construction Authority also accredits skilled construction workers, including plumbers, and accreditation is increasingly requested on larger construction sites.

Jobs for plumbers

• Plumber with building and civil works contractors
• Maintenance plumber in hotels, hospitals, schools and estates
• Water company technician for connections, meters and leak repairs
• Water and sanitation technician on NGO WASH projects
• Self-employed plumber taking residential and commercial jobs

Entry requirements

Certificate programmes typically accept a KCSE mean grade of D (plain), and artisan courses may accept lower grades for applicants with relevant experience, depending on the institution.

What makes a plumber employable

Reliability and quality of finish are what clients and contractors remember. Being able to read drawings, work with PPR and PVC pipes, install water pumps and tanks, and fix common faults quickly is valuable. Skills in solar water heating, borehole pump installation or rainwater harvesting add work, especially outside the big towns. Owning your own basic tools makes you easier to hire on short contracts.

Pay and conditions

Many plumbers work on daily rates or short contracts. Make sure any wage offer meets the rates explained in our minimum wage guide, and keep records of the days you work.

Progression

Experienced plumbers become foremen, site supervisors or maintenance supervisors. A diploma in plumbing, water technology or building services opens technician roles with water companies and consultants, and many skilled plumbers eventually run their own contracting businesses.