CDACC Level 3 or Level 4? What Changes Between the Levels, and Which One to Take

6 min read

If you are about to join a vocational training centre, or you have finished a Level 3 course and wonder whether to continue, you will meet the question: Level 3 or Level 4? Parents ask it too.

This post answers it using Electrical Installation and Motor Vehicle Mechanics as worked examples: units, hours, entry, what Level 4 adds, the attachment and how the levels connect, plus a note on ICT Operator Level 4 and on assessment.

The short answer: Level 4 builds on Level 3

On the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF), Level 4 is the artisan level, Level 5 the craft certificate and Level 6 the diploma. Level 3 is the first step.

In both trades below, the full Level 4 qualification contains the Level 3 units. The Level 4 curriculum has two modules: Module One (written “Module I” in the motor vehicle curriculum) is the Level 3 work, and Module Two is the new Level 4 work.

Worked example 1: Electrical Installation

Level 3: wiring a building

Level 3 has three independent core units of 100 hours and 10 credits each: PVC Sheathed Cable System, Trunking System and Conduit System Installation. A Level 3 installer works on single-phase installations under the direction of a licensed electrician. Add at least 240 hours of industry training and the course is 540 hours. Entry is KCPE or an equivalent qualification accepted by TVETA.

Level 4: solar, alarms and motor rewinding

Level 4 keeps the Level 3 skills and adds three units of 120 hours each:

• Stand-Alone Solar PV Systems: mounting, wiring, testing, commissioning and maintaining modules, controllers, batteries and inverters
• Bell and Alarm Installation: door and school bells, call systems, intruder alarms and small fire-alarm systems
• Electrical Machine Winding: dismantling a motor, recording winding data, rewinding the stator, reassembling and testing it

The occupational standard describes the Level 4 worker as someone who installs systems from a design and the customer’s requirements, reading and interpreting the drawings. Industry training rises to at least 320 hours. The full course is 300 + 360 + 320 = 980 hours and 98 credits. Entry is any one of: KCSE grade E or above, the Level 3 Certificate in Electrical Installation Technology, or an equivalent accepted by TVETA.

Neither certificate is a licence. At both levels you work under a licence holder until EPRA licenses you, so check EPRA’s current requirements before you apply.

Revision notes: Electrical Installation Level 3 and Electrical Installation Level 4.

Worked example 2: Motor Vehicle Mechanics

Level 3: petrol engines and brakes

Level 3 has two core units: Vehicle Petrol Engine Maintenance (200 hours, 20 credits) and Vehicle Braking System Maintenance (100 hours, 10 credits). With at least 240 hours of attachment, the course is 540 hours and 54 credits. A Level 3 mechanic services, maintains and repairs common faults under supervision. Entry is KCPE or another qualification accepted by TVETA. Transmission, steering and suspension are left for later levels.

Level 4: diesel engines and the chassis

Level 4 adds two units:

• Maintain Vehicle Diesel Engine: 180 hours, 18 credits (overhaul, cooling, lubrication and fuel system)
• Maintain Vehicle Suspension and Steering System: 160 hours, 16 credits, which also covers wheels, tyres, wheel alignment and diagnosis with fault codes and sensors

A Level 4 mechanic is trusted with bigger, more expensive jobs, works with less supervision and guides Level 3 trainees working alongside. The attachment is at least 320 hours. The new Level 4 work is 660 hours (66 credits); with Module I, the full qualification is 960 hours and 96 credits. Entry is KCSE, KNQF Level 3 in Motor Vehicle Mechanics or a related course, or an equivalent TVETA accepts.

Revision notes: Motor Vehicle Mechanics Level 3 and Motor Vehicle Mechanics Level 4.

Side by side

	Electrical L3	Electrical L4	Motor Vehicle L3	Motor Vehicle L4
New units	3 × 100 h	3 × 120 h	200 h + 100 h	180 h + 160 h
Industry training	240 h	320 h	240 h	320 h
Full qualification	540 h	980 h (includes L3 units)	540 h	960 h (includes L3 units)
Entry	KCPE or equivalent	KCSE grade E, L3 certificate or equivalent	KCPE or equivalent	KCSE, L3 or related course, or equivalent
Main skills	Single-phase wiring: cable, trunking, conduit	Solar PV, bells and alarms, motor rewinding	Petrol engine, brakes	Diesel engine, suspension, steering, wheels

The attachment: longer at Level 4

Minimum industry training rises from 240 hours to 320 hours in both trades. At 40 hours a week, 320 hours is 8 weeks, but the CDACC mentoring tool asks for a mentoring period of at least three months, so institutions typically plan about 13 weeks. At Level 4 you take it after all the units (full qualification) or shared equally among the units you take (part qualification).

If you already hold Level 3

Do not assume your Level 3 certificates automatically exempt you from Module One. The electrical guide says to ask your institution how they are recognised (credit transfer or RPL); the motor vehicle guide says CDACC guidelines on credit accumulation and transfer apply, so ask whether you can be credited.

Starting at Level 4 without Level 3? The motor vehicle guide advises studying the Level 3 material alongside, because Level 4 jobs use Level 3 skills. Experienced fundis without certificates can look at Recognition of Prior Learning, which may lead to part or all of a qualification: see the RPL guide.

A different pattern: ICT Operator Level 4

Not every Level 4 course contains a Level 3 module. In ICT Operator Level 4, both modules are Level 4 units: Computer Essentials (120 hours) and Computer Operations (150 hours) in Module I, then Computer Network Setup and Computer Repair and Maintenance (200 hours each) in Module II. With at least 320 hours of industry training, the total is 990 hours and 99 credits. Entry is KCSE mean grade E or an equivalent determined by TVETA. See the ICT Operator Level 4 revision notes.

Assessment works the same way at both levels

• Theory to practical is 10 : 90. Theory is not a separate paper; it is asked orally while you work.
• Your unit score is 60% formative (during training) plus 40% summative (end of unit).
• There are at least as many formative assessments as the unit has elements.
• Ratings: 80–100 Attained Mastery, 65–79 Proficient, 50–64 Competent, 49 and below Not Yet Competent. Codes Y (malpractice), X (absent) and CRNM (course requirement not met) are also used.
• TVET CDACC issues a Certificate of Competency for each unit you pass, and the national certificate when you pass them all.

The ICT Operator guide adds that competence in a unit needs at least 40% in theory, at least 50% in practical (where it applies) and at least 50% in the weighted total.

So which one should you take?

• KCPE but not KCSE: Level 3 is the usual starting point in these trades, and its certificate is a listed entry route into Level 4.
• KCSE: you meet a Level 4 entry route directly. Ask whether you will cover the Level 3 units first, since they are part of the full Level 4 qualification.
• Already hold Level 3: Level 4 adds solar, alarms and rewinding, or diesel and chassis work. Confirm credit for Module One before you enrol.
• Want to work sooner: each unit earns its own certificate, so a part qualification is possible.

Still choosing the trade? Read how to choose a trade at a VTC, and find all study material on the CDACC hub.

Key points

• In both trades, the full Level 4 qualification includes the Level 3 units as Module One.
• Industry training rises from at least 240 hours to at least 320 hours.
• Level 3 entry is KCPE or equivalent; Level 4 accepts KCSE, a Level 3 certificate or an equivalent.
• A Level 3 certificate does not automatically exempt you from Module One.
• Assessment is 10 : 90 theory to practical and 60% formative plus 40% summative at both levels.

Fees, intake dates and current entry rules vary, so confirm them with your institution or official TVET CDACC channels.

This is independent guidance. It is not published or endorsed by TVET CDACC, TVETA or the Ministry of Education.

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