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Unit Group (L4) • 7523

7523 — Woodworking-Machine Tool Setters And Operators

7 CRAFT AND RELATED TRADES WORKERS› 75 Food Processing, Woodworking, Garment and Other Crafts and Related Trades Workers› 752 Wood Treaters, Cabinet-Makers and Related Trades Workers› 7523 Woodworking-Machine Tool Setters And Operators

Explore overview, tasks, skills, education, work context, earnings, and pathways for this Unit Group.

L4 CODE: 7523
Job summary
  • Woodworking-Machine Tool Setters And Operators (KeSCO 7523) supports outcomes in the Skilled Trades & Crafts sector by applying job-specific knowledge
  • standards
  • and tools to deliver quality services or outputs. Duties and complexity vary by employer
  • work setting
  • and seniority level
  • but the occupation generally requires reliability
  • competence
  • and continuous learning.
Minimum entry requirement summary
Artisan Certificate or Apprenticeship
Future outlook
  • Future trends such as digital transformation
  • automation
  • climate resilience
  • and changing consumer needs are shaping most occupations. Workers who continuously upskill (digital literacy
  • quality standards
  • safety
  • customer service
  • and modern tools) are more resilient and competitive.
Sectors and industries
Skilled Trades & CraftsConstructionManufacturingRepairs & MaintenanceCraftsInfrastructure
Employment prospects (narrative)
  • Prospects depend on national and county demand
  • sector investment
  • policy priorities
  • and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience
  • building a portfolio or track record
  • earning relevant certifications
  • and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Key tasks (structured)
  • Plan and prioritise daily work activities to meet targets and deadlines
  • Follow workplace procedures, standards, and relevant regulations
  • Carry out core job duties accurately and safely
  • Use job tools/equipment/software correctly and maintain them appropriately
  • Communicate progress, issues, and requirements with supervisors and colleagues
  • Serve clients/customers professionally and resolve routine queries
  • Document work completed, maintain records, and submit routine reports
  • Identify errors, risks, or service gaps and propose improvements
  • Work as part of a team and coordinate tasks across units
  • Maintain confidentiality and ethical conduct where required
  • Comply with occupational safety and health (OSH) guidelines
  • Participate in training, mentoring, or continuous improvement activities
Core skills
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Customer service orientation
  • Integrity and ethical conduct
  • Adaptability and continuous learning
  • Decision-making and judgement
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Digital literacy (basic)
  • Safety awareness and compliance mindset
Technical / occupational skills
  • Use of hand and power tools safely
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair procedures
  • Reading drawings/specifications and measurements
  • Troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Quality control and workmanship standards
  • Equipment handling and preventive maintenance
  • Workplace safety and PPE usage
  • Basic electrical/mechanical principles (as relevant)
  • Material handling and storage
  • Site readiness and task planning
  • Compliance with standards and inspections
Transferable / soft skills
  • Leadership and supervision (as one progresses)
  • Negotiation and stakeholder management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Planning and organisation
  • Resilience and stress management
  • Service mindset and empathy
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Analytical thinking
  • Professionalism and work discipline
Skills & competencies (general description)
  • Prospects depend on national and county demand
  • sector investment
  • policy priorities
  • and supply of trained workers. Job seekers improve prospects by gaining practical experience
  • building a portfolio or track record
  • earning relevant certifications
  • and being flexible on location and sub-sector.
Certifications, licenses & registration
  • Trade test / competency certification (where applicable)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certification (strongly recommended)
  • Equipment-specific operator certification (where applicable)
  • First Aid certification (recommended in many workplaces)
Education & training pathways (narrative)
  • TVET certificate/artisan programme aligned to the occupation
  • Diploma programme for more advanced technical roles
  • Attachment/industrial training/apprenticeship
  • Competency assessment/trade test (where applicable)
  • Experience-based progression into senior technician/foreman/supervisor roles
Education pathways (structured)
  • TVET certificate/artisan programme aligned to the occupation
  • Diploma programme for more advanced technical roles
  • Attachment/industrial training/apprenticeship
  • Competency assessment/trade test (where applicable)
  • Experience-based progression into senior technician/foreman/supervisor roles
Minimum entry requirements
  • Minimum education: Artisan Certificate or Apprenticeship
  • Basic literacy and numeracy (reading, writing, and basic calculations)
  • Good conduct, reliability, and professional behaviour
  • Ability to follow instructions, procedures, and workplace rules
  • Basic digital literacy where the role uses computers/phones
  • Physical/medical fitness where the role is physically demanding or safety-sensitive
  • Regulatory registration/licensing where required (profession-dependent)
  • Background checks/clearance for sensitive roles where applicable
Relevant courses to consider
  • Diploma/Certificate in Electrical/Electronics Engineering
  • Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
  • Civil/Construction Technology
  • Welding and Fabrication
  • Plumbing and Pipefitting
  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Plant/Machine Operation
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)
  • CAD/Draughting basics
Institutions where to learn
  • Universities (accredited public and private universities offering relevant programmes)
  • National Polytechnics and TVET institutions (diploma, certificate, artisan programmes)
  • Technical Training Institutes and Vocational Centres
  • Professional Colleges and Accredited Training Academies
  • Sector Training Authorities and Recognised Centres of Excellence
  • Employer-based Academies and Apprenticeship Programmes
  • Online Learning Platforms (supplementary; verify recognition for regulated fields)
  • Industry Associations and Professional Bodies (short courses/CPD)
Work environment & conditions (narrative)
  • Workplace policies
  • Team collaboration
  • Quality standards
  • Construction site
  • Workshop
  • Tool use
  • Safety gear
  • Physical work
Typical employers / places of work
  • Public sector institutions
  • private companies
  • NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Work schedule
Full-time commonOvertime possibleProject-based peaks
Employment type
Formal employment possibleInformal employment possibleSelf-employment common in some contextsContract/casual work possible
Salary ranges
Entry
KES 20,000 – 60,000
Mid
KES 60,000 – 100,000
Senior
KES 100,000+
Earnings, wages & prospects (narrative)
  • Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 20,000 – 60,000
  • Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 60,000 – 100,000
  • Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 100,000+
  • Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
  • Join a vocational training centre or apprenticeship programme in the trade
  • practice under experienced workers
  • obtain any required licences and build a reputation for quality.
Career progression
  • Trainee/Junior → Skilled worker → Senior skilled worker
  • Senior skilled worker → Foreman/Supervisor → Contractor/Business owner (common in trades)
Related & alternative occupations
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers and Pipe Fitters
  • Carpenters and Joiners
  • Welders and Flame Cutters
  • Painters and Related Workers
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics
Occupation titles
7523-11 — Borer, wood
7523-12 — Machinist, wood products
7523-13 — Operator, lathe: woodworking
7523-14 — Operator, machine: bending (wood)
7523-15 — Operator, machine: carving (wood)
7523-16 — Operator, machine: drilling (wood)
7523-17 — Operator, machine: engraving (wood)
7523-18 — Operator, machine: etching (wood)
7523-21 — Operator, machine: finishing (wood)
7523-22 — Operator, machine: furniture production
7523-23 — Operator, machine: marking (wood)
7523-24 — Operator, machine: planing (wood)
7523-25 — Operator, machine: polishing (wood)
7523-26 — Operator, machine: sports equipment (wood)
7523-27 — Operator, machine: toy production (wood)
7523-28 — Operator, machine: wood products
7523-31 — Operator, machine: woodworking
7523-32 — Operator, set-up: woodworking machine
7523-33 — Sawyer, precision woodworking
7523-34 — Sawyer, wood
7523-36 — Setter-operator, carving machine: woodworking
7523-37 — Setter-operator, fret-saw: woodworking
7523-38 — Setter-operator, jigsaw: woodworking
7523-41 — Setter-operator, lathe: woodworking
7523-42 — Setter-operator, planing machine: woodworking
7523-43 — Setter-operator, routing machine: woodworking
7523-44 — Setter-operator, shaping machine: woodworking
7523-45 — Setter-operator, woodworking machine
7523-35 — Setter, woodworking machine
7523-46 — Turner, wood
7523-47 — Woodworker, dovetailing
7523-48 — Woodworker, dowelling
7523-51 — Woodworker, morticing
7523-52 — Woodworker, sanding
7523-53 — Woodworker, tenoning
7523-54 — Worker, wood: dovetailing
7523-55 — Worker, wood: dowelling
7523-56 — Worker, wood: morticing
7523-57 — Worker, wood: sanding
7523-58 — Worker, wood: tenoning