Summary
Mining and Drilling Engineers, Metallurgists and Related Technologists (KeSCO 2154) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment 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
Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
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
Science, Engineering & Built EnvironmentProfessional ServicesPublic SectorPrivate SectorNGO/DevelopmentSpecialised Practice
Description
Mining and Drilling Engineers, Metallurgists and Related Technologists (KeSCO 2154) supports outcomes in the Science, Engineering & Built Environment 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
- 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 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
Specialised degree in the relevant discipline | Graduate internship/attachments where applicable | Professional registration/licensing where regulated | Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
Pathways
- Specialised degree in the relevant discipline
- Graduate internship/attachments where applicable
- Professional registration/licensing where regulated
- Experience-based progression into senior/specialist roles
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: Diploma or Bachelor’s degree
- 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 | Professional environment | Standards compliance | Reporting
Where they work
- Public sector institutions, private companies, NGOs and community-based organisations depending on the sector.
Work setting
Not specified.
Schedule
Full-time commonDaytime hours commonDeadlines possible
Employment type
Formal employment possible
Earnings
Entry level
KES 50,000 – 120,000
Mid level
KES 120,000 – 250,000
Entry-level typical range (illustrative): KES 50,000 – 120,000 | Mid-level typical range (illustrative): KES 120,000 – 250,000 | Senior/experienced typical range (illustrative): KES 250,000+ | Earnings vary by employer (public/private), location, allowances, commissions, overtime, risk factors, and scarcity of skills
How to become one
Complete a degree in the relevant discipline, undertake internships or graduate programmes and meet any professional registration or licensing requirements.
Career progression
- Entry/Intern → Junior Practitioner → Mid-level → Senior Specialist
- Senior Specialist → Team Lead/Principal → Manager/Head of Unit (where applicable)
- Some pathways include consultancy, research, training, or policy roles
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
2154-15 — Ceramics Technologist
Ceramics Technologist is responsible for study, research and develop the ceramic materials, plan and develop processing systems, design and construct plants and machinery along with other engineers, plan and implement processing methodologies, manufacture materials from inorganic & non metallic materials using heat; convert ceramic materials into usable products and structures; plan projects, supervise other engineers, and analyze test results within their professional field.
2154-21 — Drilling Engineer
Drilling Engineer is responsible for draw up plans for drilling operations, taking account of costs and deadlines; specify the drilling program and plan the wells, supervise the drilling crew and are responsible for safety management and ensuring that an operation follows all environmental regulations within their professional field.
2154-14 — Drilling Engineer Petroleum and Gas
Drilling Engineer Petroleum and Gas is responsible for plan, develop and supervise the operations necessary for drilling oil and gas wells; involved from the initial well design to testing, completion and abandonment, and costing; assess and maintain existing wells, ensure safety measures are implemented, and calculate costs of machinery and construction within their professional field.
2154-22 — Engineer, bore-hole
Engineer, bore-hole is responsible for extract water (drilled water well and tube well), other liquids (such as petroleum), or gases (such as natural gas) within their professional field.
2154-17 — Metallurgist
Metallurgist is responsible for conduct tests on ores and figure out the best method of extraction; study how a metal behaves in different conditions including in a hot environment or when it's put under stress shape metal parts through methods such as casting, as well as joining metal parts by welding and soldering; develop and manufacture metal items and structures that range from tiny precision made components to huge engineering parts extract and process various metals and alloys within their professional field.
2154-18 — Metallurgist Extractive
Metallurgist Extractive is responsible for analyze metal samples for impurities; involved in the recovery of useful metals or minerals such as gold, coal, diamonds, copper and iron, from the ore bodies in which they occur; identify defects and inclusions in metals during the refining and alloying processes within their professional field.
2154-11 — Mining Engineer
Mining Engineer is responsible for design and develop mines and determine the best way to extract metal or minerals to get the most out of deposits; ensure the safe and efficient development of mines and other surface and underground operations; assess viability of a mine site and assist with planning the mine's structure within their professional field.
2154-13 — Mining Engineer Metals
Mining Engineer Metals is responsible for ensure that underground resources such as minerals, metals, oil and gas are extracted safely and efficiently; design and develop mines and determine the best way to extract metal or minerals to get the most out of deposits; assessing the feasibility and the potential for commercial benefit of new sites ascertaining extraction risks producing models or plans for possible mining sites planning and implementing extraction systems using specialist computer applications to maximise planning and production monitoring and evaluating underground performance managing construction projects ensuring that operations comply with health and safety requirements making sure that the equipment used is safe managing budgets training and supervising staff liaise with and advise managerial and technical staff analyze data and keep records costing and organizing supplies within their professional field.
2154-12 — Mining Engineer Non Metals
Mining Engineer Non Metals is responsible for design, construct and operate mine and quarry workings to extract coal, metals such as copper, iron or zinc and non metals such as salt, sand, clay or phosphates; may be concerned with deep mines, surface (opencast) mines or quarries plan, organize and supervise work of extracting stratified deposits of non metal minerals like coal, fire clay, gypsum, mica, precious stones, etc; from earth by various mining processes within their professional field.
2154-16 — Technologist Glass and Glazing
Technologist Glass and Glazing is responsible for decide if the damaged glass can be repaired, or needs to be replaced; repair damaged glass using a special resin to fill any chips or cracks; remove trims and any mould from around the window measure, install, repair, sell and clean up broken glass within their professional field.