How to Apply for Trade Test Assessment in Kenya

National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is mandated under Industrial Training Act Cap.237 and the Amendment Act 2011 to conduct Testing and Issue Certificates to successful candidates and students. Let us learn How to Apply for Trade Test Assessment in Kenya

Testing is a systematic way of evaluating the skills of an artisan/apprentice to ascertain competencies possessed in a given trade area. This is done by designing a test guideline or curriculum from which an identified setter may develop a test paper for a specific trade, which gives a working technical drawing with details of what is to be produced by a candidate at the end of the test.

The Assessment and Certification is one of the key functions for NITA and is being carried out by this Unit.

Currently, there are over 500 institutions and workplaces spread all over the country that, based on their capacity in terms of testing equipment/facilities, have been accredited and approved as Testing Centres. Out of the 500 approved testing institutions, NITA has only 5 institutions being used for testing.

Procedure -Trade Test Assessment in Kenya

• Testing is a systematic way of evaluating the skills of an artisan/apprentice to ascertain competencies possessed in a given trade area.
• This is done by designing a test guideline or curriculum from which an identified setter may develop a test paper for a specific trade, which gives a working technical drawing with details of what is to be produced by a candidate at the end of the test.
• The Assessment and Certification is one of the key functions for NITA and is being carried out by the Trade Test Unit.
  

Apply in Person

1. Visit the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) offices near to make the application.
2. Here you will be given an Application for Trade Test: Booking Form to fill .You can also download the booking form from the NITA website and fill it before visiting the offices for submission.
   • Choose your preferred testing centre and Trade Test Series
3. Proceeded to make the prescribed test fees. The fee are as follows
   • Artisan Grade I Ksh. 7,500.00
   • Artisan Grade II Ksh. 6,000.00
   • Artisan Grade III Ksh. 5,000.00
   Payments are to be made to the following bank account
   Account Name: National Industrial Training Authority
   Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank
   Branch: KCB, Industrial AreaAccount No. 1102588075
4. Attach the relevant documents to the application form. These documents include;
   (i). Copy of an identity card
   (ii). Government trade test certificate/results slip copy (if any)
   (iii). Academic certificates copy
   (iv). Two studio passport size photographs (Head and Shoulder) Size 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 with name and address in block letters on the reverse side
   (v). Banking slips
   (vi). Duly completed booking form
5. Submit the application (booking) form to the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) offices for processing. You can also send the application (booking) form by post through the following postal address.
   The Director General
   National Industrial Training Authority,
   P.O Box 74494 – 00200
   NAIROBI
6. You will receive notification about testing dates through a phone call and through the mail.

Required Documents – Trade Test Assessment in Kenya

1. Identity card
2. government trade test certificate/results slip copy
3. Academic certificates copy
4. Two studio passport size photographs (Head and Shoulder) Size 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 with name and address in block letters on the reverse side
5. Banking slips
6. Duly completed booking form
   

Office Locations & Contacts

National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)
Commercial Street, Industrial Area Nairobi
Telephone: +254-20-2695586/9
Mobile No: +254-720-917897, +254-736-290676, +254-772-212488
Hotline: +254-753-244676
Email: directorgeneral@nita.go.ke
Website: National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)

Eligibility

1. The tests are open to candidates with:
   • Grade III: Practical exposure acquired in a training institution and/or workplace.
   • Grade II: Hands-on practical experience acquired after passing Grade III (or equivalent)
   • Grade I: Hands-on practical experience acquired after passing Grade II (or equivalent)
2. Candidates who were tested in the past and were successful are advised to use result slips to book for the next level of test
3. Candidates who book later than the stipulated period indicated in the table above will not be considered for the current year trade test
4. At least 2 years’ experience in the skill area;
5. Book for relevant level in the skill area;
6. Payment of exam fee
   

Fees

• Artisan Grade I Ksh. 7,500.00
• Artisan Grade II Ksh. 6,000.00
• Artisan Grade III Ksh. 5,000.00
  

Payments are to be made in favour of the National Industrial Training Authority

Account Name: National Industrial Training Authority
Bank: Kenya Commercial Bank
Branch: KCB, Industrial Area
Account No. 1102588075

Validity -Trade Test Assessment in Kenya

• One year
  

Documents to Use

• Application For Trade Test: Booking Form

Instructions

• You should not apply for the next test until you have received your results slip OR unless it is a different trade
• The booking period is between:- ( 2nd January to 31st July )
• Testing Period are during the months of April, August and December.
• An applicant who fails to receive calling letters but is in possession of valid official booking receipt should present themselves to the examiner at the appropriate Trade Test Centre during the testing period (First week of April, August and December).
• An applicant who fails to report for the Trade Test will be required to pay examination fee afresh during the next test series.
• All ready certificates will be sent to the Test Centre where the Candidate took the Trade Test.
  

Required Information

1. full names of applicant
2. nationality
3. identity card number
4. age
5. call phone number
6. email address
7. name of nearest trade testing centre
8. test centre code
9. nature of test required
10. trade name
11. trade code
12. trade test series
13. previous government trade test taken
14. academic level achieved
15. other technical training/ course
16. employment status
17. contact address

Need for the Document

• Trade Test Assessment assesses individuals who have acquired knowledge, skills and competence in a particular occupation but do not possess a formal qualification.
• Through Trade Testing a person can be assessed in a particular area by sitting for particular types of assessment.
  

Information which might help

• National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is mandated under Industrial Training Act Cap.237 and the Amendment Act 2011 to conduct Testing and Issue Certificates to successful candidates and students.
• Currently, there are over 500 institutions and workplaces spread all over the country that, based on their capacity in terms of testing equipment/facilities, have been accredited and approved as Testing Centres. Out of the 500 approved testing institutions, NITA has only 5 institutions being used for testing.

External Links

• NITA Service charter -English
• NITA Service charter – Kiswahili
• Testable Skill Areas and Their Codes