Who is a clothing craftsman?
A clothing craftsman is a craftsperson or a worker skilled in clothing technology or a closely related field. Clothing technology deals with design, manufacture and repair of clothes and other kinds of garments. Clothing craftsmen deals with fabrics or textiles to design, make and repair various kinds of cloths and other related products.

Other closely related title(s)

1. Fashion designer
2. Garment constructor
3. Garment cutter
4. Textile designer
5. Fashion stylist
6. Tailor
7. Pattern cutter

What is the work environment?
Clothing craftsmen work indoor; in manufacturing workshops, tailoring shops among other environments.

Some important skills to have
To work effectively as a clothing craftsman, some important skills are required. Some of these include;

1. Creativity skills
2. Ability to work as part of a team
3. Problem solving skills
4. Organization skills
5. Basic computer skills
6. Communication skills
7. Decision making skills
8. Safety awareness
9. Among others

What are some career opportunities?
Clothing craftsmen can find work in clothing manufacturing companies, clothing and textiles sales, tailoring shops, instructor in vocational training centers, and government departments among other areas.

With industry experience, clothing craftsmen can use their creativity and start their own clothing businesses or enterprises.

Becoming a clothing craftsman

Minimum admission requirements
A Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), mean grade D (plain) and above is required.

Training & Study options
With a KCSE mean grade D (plain) and above, you can proceed to a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college and enroll for a relevant craft certificate course. Craft courses are also offered within Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) within your region.

What course(s) can you pursue in TVET colleges?

1. Craft certificate in clothing technology
2. Craft certificate in clothing design
3. Craft certificate in fashion design
4. Craft certificate in tailoring and dressmaking
5. Craft certificate in fashion design and garment making
6. Craft certificate in fashion design and clothing
7. Craft certificate in knitting
8. Or other similar/ related courses

Education Progression
Upon a successful completion of a craft certificate course, you can advance your education upward (in a relevant field) up to university level if you like. How is this possible?

1. Get a craft certificate
2. Advance to diploma certificate, (in a relevant field)
3. Advance to degree certificate, (in a relevant field)

How to Join TVET College.
There are two ways you can follow to join training institution(s) in pursuit of your career of choice.

1. Applying through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (Kuccps), for government sponsored students.
2. Applying directly to training institution of your choice, for self-sponsored students.

Financial Aid
There are various ways you can access financial aid to support your further or higher education. Some of them are listed below;

1. Apply for education loan through Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
2. Apply for education bursaries from National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), from your local Member of Parliament, (MP).
3. Access education bursaries from your County Government.
4. Among other sources.

Always remember this!
Information provided on this website is for career awareness only, and not for any other purpose.

Before you make any career choice, or commit yourself to any career or study option, be sure of what you are doing. It is advisable to seek professional advice from career advisors to navigate this very important process.

Need more information? We can provide you with additional career and education related information to meet your individual needs.