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Unit Group (L4) • 8312

8312 — Railway Braker, Signal and Switch Operators

8 PLANT AND MACHINE OPERATORS AND ASSEMBLERS› 83 Drivers and Mobile Plant Operators› 831 Locomotive Engine Drivers and Related Workers› 8312 Railway Braker, Signal and Switch Operators

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

L4 CODE: 8312
Job summary
  • Railway Braker
  • Signal and Switch Operators (KeSCO 8312) supports outcomes in the Plant
  • Machine & Process Operations 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
Technical Certificate or Experience in machine operation
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
Plant, Machine & Process OperationsManufacturingUtilitiesTransport/LogisticsIndustrial OperationsProcess Plants
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)
  • Gather and analyse user requirements and translate into specifications
  • Design system components, data flows, and integrations
  • Develop, test, and deploy software/features or configuration changes
  • Maintain systems, troubleshoot issues, and resolve incidents
  • Implement security controls and good practices (access, backups, patching)
  • Monitor performance, reliability, and availability; optimise where needed
  • Document technical work, user guides, and operational procedures
  • Support users through training, helpdesk, and troubleshooting
  • Collaborate using version control, code reviews, and agile workflows
  • Ensure data protection, privacy, and compliance requirements
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
  • Computer applications and productivity tools
  • Systems analysis and design
  • Programming/software development fundamentals
  • Database concepts (SQL/NoSQL basics)
  • Networking fundamentals
  • Cybersecurity basics (access control, safe coding, patching)
  • Testing/QA and debugging
  • Version control and collaboration workflows
  • API/integration concepts
  • Cloud fundamentals and deployment basics
  • Data analysis fundamentals
  • Documentation and technical writing
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
  • Vendor-neutral cybersecurity/networking certifications (role dependent)
  • Cloud platform fundamentals certifications (role dependent)
  • Database certifications (role dependent)
  • Software testing/QA certifications (optional)
  • Secure coding and application security training (optional)
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: Technical Certificate or Experience in machine operation
  • 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
  • Certificate/Diploma/Degree in Information Technology
  • Computer Science / Software Engineering
  • Information Systems
  • Data Science / Statistics fundamentals
  • Networking (CCNA-aligned content)
  • Cybersecurity fundamentals
  • Database Administration
  • Cloud Computing fundamentals
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Web and Mobile Development
  • DevOps fundamentals
  • AI/ML fundamentals
  • UI/UX Design fundamentals
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
  • Factory/plant
  • Process operations
  • Machine monitoring
  • Safety compliance
Typical employers / places of work
  • ICT companies
  • public and private organisations
  • start-ups
  • innovation hubs and outsourcing firms.
Work setting
Not specified.
Work schedule
Full-time commonShift-based possibleWeekends/holidays possible
Employment type
Formal employment 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
  • Train in machine or plant operations
  • obtain required driving or operation licences where applicable and follow strict safety procedures.
Career progression
  • Trainee/Junior → Skilled worker → Senior skilled worker
  • Senior skilled worker → Foreman/Supervisor → Contractor/Business owner (common in trades)
Related & alternative occupations
  • Other occupations within the same KeSCO major group
  • Support roles in the same sector/industry
  • Supervisory roles related to this occupation’s work area
  • Specialist variants of the same occupation (where they exist)
Occupation titles
8312-11 — Braker, railway
8312-12 — Braker, train
8312-13 — Coupler, railway yard
8312-14 — Guard, train: freight
8312-15 — Guard, train: goods
8312-16 — Operator, switch: railway
8312-17 — Shunter, railway
8312-18 — Signaller, railway