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Unit Group (L4) • 9312

9312 — Civil Engineering Labourers

9 ELEMENTARY OCCUPATIONS› 93 Labourers In Mining, Construction, Manufacturing and Transport› 931 Mining And Quarrying Labourers› 9312 Civil Engineering Labourers

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

L4 CODE: 9312
Job summary
  • Civil Engineering Labourers (KeSCO 9312) supports outcomes in the General & Elementary Labour 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
Basic education (KCPE/KCSE) and physical ability
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
General & Elementary LabourGeneral LabourCleaningSupport ServicesInformal EconomyPublic Space Services
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
  • Clinical procedures within scope of practice
  • Patient assessment and monitoring
  • Medication administration principles
  • Infection prevention and control (IPC)
  • Emergency response basics (BLS/triage awareness)
  • Health records and documentation
  • Client education and counselling basics
  • Specimen handling basics (where relevant)
  • Confidentiality and ethics in care
  • Team-based care coordination
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)
  • Secondary education foundation (varies by role)
  • Short courses/certificates in the relevant service/technical area
  • On-the-job training and mentoring
  • Progression supported by additional certificates and demonstrated competence
Education pathways (structured)
  • Secondary education foundation (varies by role)
  • Short courses/certificates in the relevant service/technical area
  • On-the-job training and mentoring
  • Progression supported by additional certificates and demonstrated competence
Minimum entry requirements
  • Minimum education: Basic education (KCPE/KCSE) and physical ability
  • 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
  • Varied settings
  • Task-based
  • Physical work
  • Informal settings possible
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 commonIrregular hours possibleCasual/daily work possible
Employment type
Formal employment possibleInformal employment possibleSelf-employment common in some contextsContract/casual work possible
Salary ranges
Entry
KES 13,000 – 35,000
Mid
KES 35,000 – 60,000
Senior
KES 60,000+
Earnings, wages & prospects (narrative)
  • Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 13,000 – 35,000
  • Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 35,000 – 60,000
  • Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 60,000+
  • Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
  • Start in entry-level roles
  • learn on the job
  • and build reliability
  • teamwork and basic technical skills which can open up progression opportunities.
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
9312-11 — Digger, grave: hand-held tools
9312-12 — Labourer, construction: civil engineering
9312-13 — Labourer, construction: dams
9312-14 — Labourer, construction: roads
9312-15 — Labourer, digging: ditch
9312-16 — Labourer, digging: grave
9312-17 — Labourer, digging: trench
9312-18 — Labourer, earthmoving
9312-21 — Labourer, maintenance
9312-22 — Labourer, maintenance: dams
9312-23 — Labourer, maintenance: roads
9312-24 — Labourer, tube well
9312-25 — Labourer, water well
9312-26 — Navvy
9312-32 — Roads, Dams and Similar Construction Labourer
9312-27 — Shoveller, civil engineering
9312-28 — Trackman, railway
9312-31 — Trackwoman, railway