The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced a final phase-out of expired and outdated Business and Technical courses in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, signaling a major shift in the country’s skills development strategy.
According to a circular issued to heads of institutions and education directors, the final examinations for non-modular, obsolete TVET courses will be conducted in November 2025. Thereafter, no fresh registrations will be accepted.
The move comes after over a decade of curriculum reforms spearheaded by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), aimed at aligning vocational training with current industry demands.
The council emphasized that phased-out modular courses will also be discontinued progressively between November 2025 and November 2027.
Institutions have been given adequate time to migrate to the new modular courses—structured programs designed to equip learners with specialized, job-relevant skills in shorter, flexible modules.
Over 40 technical and business courses including Mechanical Engineering, Secretarial Studies, Food Science, Human Resource Management, and Marine Engineering are set to be retired.
Some have been replaced by modernized equivalents, while others—like Investment Management—have no replacement, reflecting a shift in demand.
KNEC has also raised concern over institutions exploiting resit opportunities to enroll new candidates in expired programs. These practices will be strictly curtailed moving forward.
This reform is expected to improve the employability of TVET graduates and ensure Kenya’s workforce remains competitive in a fast-evolving job market.
Stakeholders have welcomed the move, though some have called for additional resources and sensitization to ensure a smooth transition.
With this decisive step, Kenya reaffirms its commitment to a modern, skills-based education model fit for the 21st century.
FULL LIST OF DISCONTINUED COURSES
Some courses will transition to new codes, while others will be completely phased out. Below is a detailed breakdown of the changes:
Engineering and Technical Certificates
- Craft Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (1102) → replaced by 1501
- Craft Certificate in Automotive Engineering (1103) → replaced by 1503
- Craft Certificate in Welding & Fabrication (1106) → replaced by 1508
- Certificate in Electrical Installation (1201) → replaced by 1504
- Certificate in Electronics Instruments & Fault Diagnosis (1204) → replaced by 1601
Engineering Diplomas
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Production Option (2101) → replaced by 2501
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Fabrication Tech. & Metallurgy Option (2102) → replaced by 2502
- Diploma in Building (2305) → replaced by 2705
- Diploma in Civil Engineering (2307) → replaced by 2707
- Diploma in Architecture (2709, 2909) → replaced by 2710
Maritime and Nautical Studies
- Artisan Certificate Seafarers (0504) → updated to 0504/1
- Craft Certificate in Nautical Science (1504) → updated to 1504/1
- Craft Certificate in Marine Engineering (1505) → updated to 1505/1
- Diploma in Marine Engineering (2505) → updated to 2505/1
Automotive and Construction Engineering
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Production Option (2101) → replaced by 2501
- Diploma in Plant and Work Services Engineering (2102) → replaced by 2502
- Diploma in Automotive Engineering (2103) → replaced by 2503
- Diploma in Construction Plant Engineering (2104) → replaced by 2504
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering – Fabrication Option (2106) → replaced by 2508
- Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering – Airframes and Engines (2107) → replaced by 2506
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Diploma in Electronic Engineering (2201) → replaced by 2601/2/3
- Diploma in Electronics Engineering – Telecommunication Option (2202) → replaced by 2602
- Diploma in Telecommunication Engineering (2203) → replaced by 2603
- Diploma in Electrical Engineering – Power Option (2204) → replaced by 2601
- Diploma in Instrumentation & Control Engineering (2205) → replaced by 2604
- Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering – Avionics (2206) → replaced by 2606
ICT, Applied Sciences, and Hospitality
- Diploma in Information Technology (2209) → replaced by 2910
- Diploma in Applied Biology (2301) → replaced by 2914
- Diploma in Dietetics Management (2406) → replaced by 2916
- Craft Certificate in Science Laboratory Technology (1408) → replaced by 1904
- Craft Certificate in Fishery Technology (1409) → replaced by 1908
Hospitality and Food Sciences
- Craft Certificate in Food and Beverage Production (1402) → replaced by 1802
- Craft Certificate in Laundry & Housekeeping Operations (1406) → replaced by 1819
- Diploma in Food and Beverage Management (2402) → replaced by 2802
- Diploma in Accommodation Management (2419) → replaced by 2819
- Diploma in Housekeeping (2406) → replaced by 2819
- Craft Certificate in Food Processing & Preservation (1403) → replaced by 1903
- Diploma in Food Science & Technology (2403) → replaced by 2913
- Diploma in Analytical Chemistry (2411) → replaced by 2915
Baking and Bakery Courses
- Craft Certificate in Baking Technology (1407, 1507) → replaced by 1907
- Diploma in Bakery Technology (2420) → replaced by 2920
Phased-Out Craft Certificates in Business
- Craft Certificate in Secretarial Studies (1801) → replaced by 1901
- Craft Certificate in Marketing (1802) → replaced by 1902
- Craft Certificate in Supplies Management (1803) → replaced by 1903
- Craft Certificate in Business Administration (1806) → replaced by 1906
- Craft Certificate in Co-operative Management (1807) → replaced by 1907
- Craft Certificate in Personnel Management (1808) → replaced by 1908
- Craft Certificate in Transport Management (1809) → replaced by 1909
- Craft Certificate in Library, Archives and Information Studies (1813) → replaced by 1913
- Craft Certificate in Investment Management (1924) → discontinued
Phased-Out Business Diplomas
- Diploma in Secretarial Studies (2801) → replaced by 2901
- Diploma in Marketing (2802) → replaced by 2902
- Diploma in Supplies Management (2803) → replaced by 2903
- Diploma in Business Administration (2806) → replaced by 2906
- Diploma in Cooperative Management (2807) → replaced by 2907
- Diploma in Personnel Management (2808) → replaced by 2908
- Diploma in Transport Management (2809) → replaced by 2909
- Diploma in Legal Secretarial Studies (2810) → replaced by 2901
- Diploma in Labour Studies and Management (2811) → discontinued
- Diploma in Tourism Management (2812) → replaced by 2912
- Diploma in Information Studies (2813) → replaced by 2913
- Diploma in Entrepreneurship (2814) → replaced by 2914
- Diploma in Investment Management (2924) → discontinued
Higher Diploma Update
- Higher Diploma in Marketing (3802) → discontinued due to insufficient candidates
