Artisan skills, diploma preferred to degrees for energy sector jobs

Kenya Power Company staff at work. FILE PHOTO | NMG

By EDWIN OKOTH
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Summary

• People with middle level skills such as diplomas and artisans are more attractive to the energy sector than those holding degrees, a survey reveals.
• Close to 40 percent of employees in the sector are technical staff, driving the need for diploma holders whose training is largely tilted towards hands on job.

People with middle level skills such as diplomas and artisans are more attractive to the energy sector than those holding degrees, a survey reveals.

Close to 40 percent of employees in the sector are technical staff, driving the need for diploma holders whose training is largely tilted towards hands on job.

The Ministry of Labour and Social protection says in the report that demand for the diploma holders, which is 30 percent compared to that of degree holders at 15 percent, is expected to rise in the near future as the sector grows.

The majority of energy establishments prefer future workers to have diploma level of training accounting for 29 percent followed by artisan skill level at 22 percent. The report says most sector firms will not require workers with PhD skills in the future. Official data, however, indicates that appetite for degree courses remains higher than that of diploma with 89,488 enrolled for degree courses compared to 43,662 enrolled for diploma courses in the 2019/20 academic year.

Companies involved in the generation of energy such as the Kenya Electricity Generating Company and independent power producers have the biggest work force, largely technicians and associate professionals followed by transportation, transmission and distribution companies.