Diploma in Civil Engineering (KNEC)

A diploma in Civil Engineering is a course that equips the learner with skills to work in civil construction works. Students learn how to design, construct, manage, and understand what happens in a civil construction site. The course is related to Building and construction. Both civil and building diploma module 1 students study the same units.

In Kenya, it is offered at both universities and TVET institutions. Universities have the autonomy to decide what to include in the course. However, TVET uses a common syllabus produced by KICD and examined by KNEC. In this article, we concentrate on the Diploma in Civil Engineering for the KNEC syllabus.

The objective of the Civil Engineering course

By the end of this Diploma in Civil Engineering, the trainee is expected to be able to do the following.

1. The graduate of the course should have skills to manage civil engineering works sites like roads, dams, and bridges.
2. The students should be able to design and construct structures that meet civil engineering works.
3. The learner acquires knowledge and skills in analyzing forces and designing structural elements.
4. The graduate of the course will be equipped with the knowledge to fit in the role of civil engineering technician in the construction industry.
5. The course will offer foundation knowledge to further train in the civil construction works industry.

The entry requirement for a Diploma in Civil Engineering

Being a Diploma course those who wish to join the course in any TVET institution will require a minimum KCSE grade of C-. There is no cluster subject required. However, since it is an engineering course, it will require good mathematics and physics knowledge. 

Those who have done a Craft certificate in Civil Engineering and passed can proceed to a diploma level. Depending on your performance at the craft level you can request KNEC to exempt you from some units. When exempted you will be admitted to module 2 of the diploma instead of module 1.

Units covered in the Diploma in ICT course

For the diploma KNEC program, the course is divided into 3 modules/levels which are supposed to take 3 years. The student does the unit in each module and does the KNEC exam for those specific units before preceding to the next level.

If you fail 3 units among all your units per module, KNEC considers it as FAIL and you have to repeat all units in that module. When you fail 1 or 2 units you are allowed to proceed to the next level but you must repeat the failed unit and pass before you are Certified by KNEC.

For a Diploma in Civil engineering, the following are the units that you are required to cover to be certified.

For common courses that are not core units, the KNEC exam is combined as one paper.

Module 1 units

1. Mathematics I
2. Physical sciences
3. Construction Material
4. Workshop Technology I (Mechanical)
5. Technical Drawing
6. Geotechnology I
7. Concrete Technology I
8. Construction Plant and Equipment
9. General Building Construction I
10. Surveying I
11. Structures I
12. Communication skills
13. Life Skills
14. Information Communication Technology
15. Entrepreneurship

After module 1 students are expected to go for an industrial attachment which is a requirement of the course. Students can be attached to any industry or area that deals with civil or building-related construction. This can include roads, houses, bridges, and any other construction sites.

Module 2 units

1. Mathematics II
2. Workshop Technology II (Electrical)
3. Geotechnology II
4. Concrete Technology II
5. General Building Construction II
6. Surveying II
7. Structures II
8. Measurement of Building and Civil Engineering Works
9. Estimating and Costing I
10. Construction Management I
11. Water Supply
12. Transportation Engineering I
13. Civil Engineering Construction and Design
14. Civil Engineering Project Design and Portfolio I
15. Business Plan

Module 3 units

1. Mathematics III
2. General Building Construction III
3. Surveying III
4. Structures III
5. Estimating and Costing II
6. Construction Management II
7. Transportation Engineering II
8. Civil Engineering Drawing (CAD)
9. Civil Engineering Project Design and Portfolio II

Career Progression in Civil Engineering

After completing the course you will have enough knowledge of construction site management to manage a site. 

With a diploma in civil engineering, you can progress to a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. You can specialize in areas such as

1. Structural engineering
2. Building control surveyor
3. Consulting civil engineer
4. Design Engineer
5. Cost estimator
6. Site engineer
7. Water engineering among other areas.

Some universities in Kenya offer civil engineering degrees. As you pursue the degree, please check if the university you choose is accredited to offer civil engineering courses. If the university is not accredited for the course it will be hard to get engineering board approval to practice as an engineer.

To practice engineering in Kenya you will be required to be certified by the Kenya Engineering Board. This is the body that is tasked with ensuring registering all engineers. It ensures that they follow all guidelines when constructing or carrying out any engineering task.

Prospect employment areas/opportunities

With a Diploma in Civil Engineering, you can be employed as a Civil engineer technician in building and construction companies. The work-related tasks will include

1. Interpreting building drawings, 
2. Managing the construction site, 
3. Carrying out surveys on site before construction begins.
4. Estimating the cost of construction for different designs and works
5. Manage and plan material transportation for the site among many other site-related duties.

If employment is not for you, then you can start your own construction consulting company. This may take time since many people want to work with reputable companies that have vast experience. 

However, in the meantime, you can start small by designing structures using CAD software and selling them. You can do structure cost estimation and a survey among other skills learned in the course to earn a living even without formal employment.