While diploma courses can open floodgate of opportunities it’s only ideal if you pursue the best -paying diploma courses in Kenya especially for the years 2019 and 2020. There are specific diploma courses which have plenty of opportunities with sufficient monthly renumeration.
Initially it was perceived that diploma courses are inferior to degree programmes but over time people realized that some of the diploma courses existing in Kenya pay more than degree courses. In this article, we are going to single out a list of diploma programmes you should pursue in 2019 if you wish to earn handsome pay.
- Diploma in Quantity Surveying
The first diploma course we feature here is the diploma in Quantity Surveying. This courses is offered in JKUAT,UoN and few other colleges in Kenya and it takes an average of 2 years to complete. Research shows that over 90% of graduates of this course secure employment in their first year of graduation.
The monthly pay for a diploma graduate in quantity surveying is Ksh60,000 to Ksh300,000. If you are lucky to secure employment at a government institution, you’ll pocket not less than Ksh 70,000 per month, there are also numerous benefits that come with the job.
What I like most is that even if you are not lucky to secure employment, you can become self-employed and make it in life.
- Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Most companies in Kenya prefer diploma holders to degree holders in the field of Electrical engineering. The course is well paying especially if you join companies like KPLC,KenGen,Bamburi Cement, Davis and Shirtliff and KAA.The current average pay of a diploma graduate in the mentioned companies is Ksh 102,300 per month, they earn thrice what a government employed teacher earns.
With a Diploma in electrical Engineering, you are assured of earning above Ksh50,000 every month.
- Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication
When you talk of diploma in teaching, it’s impossible to find a graduate of this earning over Ksh100,000, what about diploma in mass communication, lent of them earn in excess of Ksh 100,000 per month.
In journalism and mass communication, it’s your talent that sales. If you take a survey in our media industry, majority of presenters and news personnel pursued diploma programmes in journalism and are earning decent income.
The average pay of a journalist in Kenya is Ksh 98,400 per month.
- Diploma in Software Engineering
We are living in technology era and anyone who can crack what excites internet lovers will carry the day. Software engineering is one such a course that exposes one to the world of software and App development. Almost every company needs an App and the only people who would provide the services are Software engineers. If one is capable of securing a job at Oracle, Safaricom, IBM,Facebook or Google, the salary will not be less than Ksh150,000 per month.
With Software development it doesn’t matter whether one is a diploma or degree holder, what matters most is whether you can deliver or not.
- Diploma in Purchasing and Supply
Have you ever wondered why almost everyone is rushing to pursue a diploma in purchasing, procurement and supply? It’s because once you get employed, you say bye to poverty. Employment is government is the best because there are kickbacks, good renumeration and exposure to tenders.
The salary ranges of a supply and purchasing graduate in Kenya is Ksh60,000 to Ksh300,000. For those who have gained experience spanning over 3 years, they earn more than Ksh100,000
- Diploma in Accounting +CPA
The moment you complete CPA and Diploma in Accounting, you’ll secure employment as an accountant. Accountants in established institutions earn not less than Ksh 50,000 per month, and the more you gain experience the more you earn.
Though diploma in accounting should be supplemented with ACCA or CPA for one to be more marketable.
- Diploma in Monitoring & Evaluation or Project Management
Diploma in Monitoring & Evaluation and Project Management go hand in hand. When you pursue any of these courses, you expect to work in an NGO.NGOs are among the best paying sectors in Kenya and with a diploma in M&E you’ll pocket over Ksh80,000 per month. I know of several people who pursued this course and ended up in the NGO sector, some are driving fuel guzzlers
A diploma in M&E requires at least a C- in KCSE.We also have a marketable certificate course in M&E at AMREF Kenya.
- Diploma in Pharmacy
To be a pharmacist, you pursue a diploma or degree in pharmacy. KMTC is known for producing the best diploma graduates in pharmacy while UoN had the best program in Pharmacy.
I always advise diploma holders in pharmacy to go for self-employment after they have acquired their academic papers and a license. If you open a pharmacy in a town like Nairobi, each day you’ll be earning more than Ksh3,000. I know of pharmacies which make more than Ksh20,000 per day.
- Diploma in Architecture
Another course you should not overlook is diploma in architecture. This one has numerous opportunities in developing countries like Kenya.If you are good in drawing and strongly believe that’s where your passion is, try architecture and you won’t regret. Even if you don’t get employed, which I doubt, you can make a living by opening your own firm.
Firms like Hass Consulting, Cytonn etc will employ you with a net salary in excess of Ksh 80,000 per month
- Diploma in GIS and Remote Sensing
Diploma in GIS and Remote Sensing is relatively new in Kenya but it’s one course that’s taking the job market by storm. Since there are few with these skills,it’s easy to secure employment. Some of the best institutions to work for include DRSRS, KWS,ILRI,UN,UNDP,NEMA,Ministry of Environment,WFP,Google and ICRAF.KEMRI is also another company that employs GIS graduates.
Salaries of GIS and Remote Sensing graduates range between Ksh60,000 and Ksh 250,000
- Diploma in Hotel Management
Five star hotels, four star hotels and other notable restaurants pay crazy figures to managers. If you are lucky to secure employment in a five-star hotel, you’ll smile all the way to the bank. With a diploma in hotel management, you can earn more than Ksh 50,000 as starting salary. The best thing about this job is that you may not touch your salary because marupurupu ni mingi.
- Diploma in Aviation related courses
If your parent is rich and you manage to do courses in piloting, I can tell you for free, there is no single day you’ll earn less than Ksh 200,000. Piloting is the best career in the country. At KQ the average pay of a pilot is Ksh 600,000 per month.
- Diploma in Human Resource Management
Human Resource is a sensitive career because one is trained on how to manage people.in any given institution, HR department must have staff who earn more than majority of the people they manage. You’ll find HR officer earning twice what another employee in the same job group within that organization earns.
