Summary
Building Construction Labourers (KeSCO 9313) 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
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
General & Elementary LabourGeneral LabourCleaningSupport ServicesInformal EconomyPublic Space Services
Description
Building Construction Labourers (KeSCO 9313) 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.
Employment prospects
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.
Tasks
- 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
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
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 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 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
Certifications
- 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
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
Pathways
- 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
Relevant courses
- 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
- 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)
Minimum 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
Work context
Workplace policies | Team collaboration | Quality standards | Varied settings | Task-based | Physical work | Informal settings possible
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonIrregular hours possibleCasual/daily work possible
Employment type
Formal employment possibleInformal employment possibleSelf-employment common in some contextsContract/casual work possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 13,000 – 35,000
Mid level
KES 35,000 – 60,000
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 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
9313-11 — Assistant, bricklayer's
9313-12 — Assistant, carpenter's
9313-26 — Building Caretaker
9313-13 — Carrier, bricks
9313-17 — Labourer, builder's
9313-18 — Labourer, construction: building work
9313-21 — Labourer, demolition
9313-22 — Mate, bricklayer's
9313-23 — Mate, builder's
9313-24 — Mate, carpenter's
9313-25 — Stacker, building construction